PSC spearheads drive for ‘Tobacco-free SEA Games’

In a bid to underscore its drive against the harmful effect of tobacco through country’s hosting of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games, the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) will spearhead today the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on a "Tobacco-Free SEA Games" at the Grand Boulevard Hotel.

PSC chairman Eric Buhain will lead the ceremony together with the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO)-Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc), various National Sports Associations (NSAs), Framework Convention Alliance Philippines, Philippine Cancer Society and other tobacco control non-government organizations.

Members of the diplomatic corps within the Southeast Asian region are also expected to grace the event led by deputy chief of mission Mecham Filykhoune of Laos, First Secretary Vu Tien Trong of Vietnam, first secretary Adrian Chan of Singapore, second secretary Aung Lwin of Myanmmar and consular assistant Claire Simbulan of Timor-Leste.

Dr. Jean-Marc Olive and Burke Fishburn will represent the WHO in the MOA signing. DILG Secretary Jose Lina and DOH Secretary Manuel Dayrit are also expected to grace the event together with International Olympic Committee (IOC) Representative to the Philippines Francisco Elizalde.

"By having a tobacco-free SEA Games, we help ensure that the event becomes a genuine celebration not only of athletic prowess but also a forum of reminding participants about the important relationship between sports and health," said Buhain. "This is the first time that the PSC has made a tie-up with the WHO and other tobacco control groups which we plan to elevate to other health issues relevant to further safeguarding the health of our national athletes."

Coinciding with the MOA signing, the PSC and its partner organizations will similarly launch today the Tobacco-Free 3rd ASEAN Para-Games.

PSC Commissioner Michael Barredo, chairman of the Philippine ASEAN Para-Games Organizing Committee, said declaring the two events tobacco-free will further raise the level of awareness and advocacy of tobacco control in the country.

Since the early 1990s, the IOC and WHO has successfully declared the Olympic Games tobacco-free. Tobacco-free events have been organized all over the world, including the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea, and 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam.