There is a global concern regarding the use of tobacco that is going on for years now. Every day of our lives, tobacco takes another life and it concerns the leaders all over the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one billion people around the world use tobacco and 8 million people die from tobacco use or being exposed to second-hand smoke. Because of this, the World No Tobacco Day has been celebrated every 31st of May every year. According to the Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), as early as 15 years of age and over start to smoke tobacco that comprises 28.3% (17.3 million) of the population. Data from the 2018-2019 DOST-ENNS for Zamboanga City, the current smoker is at 25.7% and is significantly higher among males from the poor household.
To manage the effects of smoking, the Philippines started to implement tobacco control efforts with the enactment of the Republic Act 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003). This promotes a healthy environment and protects citizens from the hazards of tobacco smoke. As the government finds a need to further discourage tobacco smoking, another law was enacted…the Republic Act 10351 or known as the Sin Tax Law 2012. With the addition of a tax of 10% from its cost, it manages to influence people to avoid smoking as the prices of the cigarettes have increased making it an additional burden to the pockets of the smoker. In fact, the Philippines had been praised by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) for successfully enacting and implementing the “Sin Tax’ Law which led to a significant drop of smokers from 17 million (2009) to 15.9 million (2015).
The Department of Health as one of the implementing bodies to stop tobacco use in our country shared three ways that the public can choose to prioritize their health and save themselves from diseases caused by tobacco use:
Quit smoking. The DOH advises the public to quit smoking and to seek help through their phone supported system wherein it provides real-time counselling and support. It is called the Quitline, just dial 165-364 for assistance.
Support smoke-free places. The DOH emphasizes the importance of a smoke-free environment for both the smoker and the non-smoker, under Executive Order 25 in which it articulates to give priority to the right of every individual to breathe clean air. The DOH provides all support to the EO 25 in providing technical assistance.
Preventing tobacco use among youth. The DOH is making use of technology to inform the young generation the effects of tobacco use in the body. They continue to encourage the youth to make smart decisions and keep away from initiating tobacco use.
Today, our government continues with its battle to end tobacco use in our country to limit, if not halt, its claims of lives. Most especially in this time of pandemic, we need our lungs to be healthy and in good condition to be able to resist the effects of COVID-19 infection as it attacks our lungs and smoking can only make our lungs more vulnerable to complications. Clean the air and free our lungs from the toxic chemicals of tobacco smoking… Say No To Smoking!
NO II Joanna Marie E. Baltazar
References:
- Republic Act No. 10351. An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/12/19/republic-act-no-10351/
- Republic Act No.9211. An Act Regulating the Packaging, Use, Sale Distribution and Advertising of Tobacco Products
https://www.who.int/fctc/reporting/Philippines_annex3_packaging_and_advertising2003.pdf
- Executive Order No. 26 Providing Establishment of Smoke-Free Environments in Public
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2017/05may/20170516-EO-26-RRD.pdf
- Increasing Sin Taxes will Save Lives
- Philippines Attains Progress in Tobacco Control through Tax Measures
- Filipinos Urged to Choose Health, Stamp Tobacco Out
- WHO Philippines Marks World No Tobacco Day “Increase Tobacco Tax=Decreased Tobacco Death”.
https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/who-philippines-marks-world-no-tobacco-day-increased-tobacco-tax-decreased-tobacco-death-