MANILA - New Vois Association of the Philippines, a group of cancer survivors and former smokers, on Thursday hailed the Department of Health and the Civil Service Commission for consistently taking a strong stand against tobacco industry interference in government affairs.
The group marked the third year anniversary of their signing of Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2010-01 with the two agencies, providing protection against tobacco industry interference in policy development and program implementation of both government agencies.
"In a country that is described as the having the ‘strongest tobacco lobby in Asia,’ this joint undertaking by the DOH and CSC proved that nothing beats political will. Other government agencies should follow what these two government offices did to make a statement that interference by Big Tobacco has no place in public service,” said Emer Rojas, NVAP president and Global Cancer ambassador.
On July 12, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona and CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III received commendations from four international organizations for the strong tobacco-control programs being implemented in their respective offices.
In a joint statement, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Framework Convention Alliance for Tobacco Control, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, and World Lung Foundation, commended the two officials for upholding the country’s legal obligations to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international health treaty where the Philippines is a party.
The statement said the DOH-CSC memorandum was an “outstanding example of global best practice” in terms of applying Article 5.3 of the FCTC which enjoins parties to protect national health policies from tobacco industry interference.
"Decades of experience across the globe and in the Philippines indicate that the tobacco industry and its allies will continue attempts to dilute, delay and defeat life-saving tobacco control measures, including policies to protect against tobacco industry interference. We would anticipate that the government will face ongoing challenges and attacks from the industry for this forthright policy to protect the health of citizens - precisely because this policy is effective at reducing consumption and therefore at saving lives,” said the joint statement.
Rojas warned that the strong tobacco lobby would continue as Congress revives bills calling for the implementation of graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging.
"Our officials should remain defiant against this interference and show some political conviction that will favor the side of public health. We cannot stand idle as 10 Filipinos die every hour because of smoking. We must stop this cycle of death,” said Rojas.
More than 17 million Filipinos smoke, the second largest smoking population in Southeast Asia. An estimated nine percent of Filipino women smoke, one of the highest in Asia. Among children aged 13-15 years old, 28.3% boys and 17.5% girls in this age group are tobacco consumers.
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