Tobacco Articles: country philippines

LETTER: Pill to stop smoking not endorsed by FCAP

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In the interest of fair and accurate reporting, we would like to clarify the news story “BFAD airs warning vs pill to stop smoking.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 6/13/08) The Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) and, more so, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines (FCAP), have never endorsed any smoking cessation drug. In the course of interviews with the media, upon being asked as to what drugs are available in the market, we naturally mention the drug that is the subject of the news report, since there are only two such drugs available in the Philippines. When we mention these drugs, it does not mean in any way that we are endorsing them, which is what the news story insinuates. . . . By 2008, the obligations under Article 11 of the FCTC will fall due on the Philippines as a member state. We likewise call on our local government executives to fully enforce the tobacco advertising ban which is provided for in RA 9211

By her own admission, FCAP executive director Dr. Maricar Limpin always mentions Champix, along with another drug, whenever she is asked by media what medications are available to those who want to kick the habit. When Champix was launched in late 2007, Dr. Limpin herself told Inquirer’s Tessa Salazar (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10/6/07) that she would try it [Champix] on her patients “to see for herself if it really works.” It might be safe to say PCCP and FCAP did not actually endorse it, but it’s a very thin line that separates endorsement and actually prescribing it. I stand by my story. GIL C. CABACUNGAN JR. reporter, Philippine Daily Inquirer

DTI reminds tobacco, ad firms on strict compliance with ban

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Department of Trade and Industry will routinely inspect the compliance of every locality on the prohibition of tobacco advertisements nationwide, Secretary Peter Favila warned tobacco and advertising firms yesterday. Section 22 of Republic Act (RA) 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, bans all forms of tobacco advertising in mass media starting July 01, except in the premises of point-of-sale retail establishments. In January 2007, the law mandated a total ban on tobacco advertising on television, cable TV and radio, and in July of the same year, prohibited all cinema and outdoor advertising of cigarettes including billboards, distribution or posting of leaflets and posters, among others.

Country resumes export of high-grade tobacco

Webmaster@tribune.net.ph — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The country will restart exporting quality tobacco afte three years of inactivity. This year has turned out to be a big, breakout year for tobacco farmers from Northern Luzon as the Philippines finally resumed exports of world-class burley and virginia tobacco to other Asian and European countries. A total of 1.3 million kilos of burley tobacco grown from Isabela and Pangasinan has been imported by Philip Morris International for processing in its various manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, Australia, Izhora, Holland, Polska, Lietuva and Kuban.

Cigarette ad ban in media starts Tuesday

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Beginning Tuesday, cigarette advertisements are banned on television, radio and print in accordance with the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 or Republic Act No. 9211. Dr. Maricar Limpin, executive director of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), said the total ad ban on cigarettes would be a tremendous help to health advocates who are working to discourage teenagers and young adults from smoking. “Starting [Tuesday], cigarette ads will be banned in all forms of mass media,” she said. “This is a big thing for us because young people are the target of the ads.”

Tobacco ads ban starts today: As survey shows rising number of young smokers Tobacco ads now banned except inside stores

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Starting today, all forms of advertising on tobacco products are prohibited, as mandated by Republic Act 9211, the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. Section 22 of this law states: "Beginning 1 July 2008, all forms of tobacco advertising in mass media shall be prohibited, except tobacco advertisements placed inside the premises of point-of- sale establishments." In January, 2007, the law mandated a total ban on tobacco advertising on TV, cable TV, and radio. In July of the same year, it prohibited all cinema and outdoor advertising of cigarettes, including the distribution or posting of leaflets, posters, and other outdoor advertising materials, except inside the places where cigarettes are sold.

Law vs tobacco ads, sponsorship to take effect Tuesday

advertising@gmanews.tv — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Health advocates are seeking a total ban on cigarette advertisements and sponsorship as a provision on the country's tobacco law takes effect Tuesday. Dr Maricar Limpin, president of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control-Alliance Philippines (FCAP), said section 22 of Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, mandates a total ban on all cigarette ads in tri-media starting July 1. Limpin said the total ban takes effect except in those placed inside the premises of "point-of-sale establishments."

National No-Smoking Month

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The ill effects of smoking have long been widely recognized. As these effects are considered public health issues, the government, through the Department of Health (DoH), has continually campaigned against the addictive and wasteful vice, from the "Yosi Kadiri" campaign to the ongoing observance of National No-Smoking Month. Mandated by Proclamation No. 183, the observance of National No-Smoking Month aims to raise public awareness on the ill effects of smoking as well as to encourage smokers to give up the habit.

National No-Smoking Month

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

the government, through the Department of Health (DoH), has continually campaigned against the addictive and wasteful vice, from the "Yosi Kadiri" campaign to the ongoing observance of National No-Smoking Month. Mandated by Proclamation No. 183, the observance of National No-Smoking Month aims to raise public awareness on the ill effects of smoking as well as to encourage smokers to give up the habit. The Department of Health, through the National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP) and the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC), will conduct information and education campaigns, workshops, and lectures nationwide to strengthen anti-smoking programs. The DoH will also intensify its National Tobacco Prevention and Control Program (NTPCP) by tapping the rural health units down to the barangay level in its campaign against smoking.

Philippines warns of anti-smoking drug side effects

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Philippine health authorities cautioned people on Thursday against taking the anti-smoking drug varenicline due to possible behavioural and psychiatric side effects, echoing a US warning. The drug, manufactured by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer under the brand name Chantix, was introduced in the Philippines in June 2007 under a "monitored release scheme," according to the health department's Bureau of Food and Drugs. "Although there has not been any report of adverse reaction/event among local patients, (the government) has decided to issue this warning in the best interest of the patients and the public, in general," said the government agency's director, Leticia Barbara Gutierrez.

BELTRAN: The Tobacco Gods are angry

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In the case of CHANTIX (Veranicline) the latest anti-smoking medicine, the good news is it’s helping many decided “quitters” to overcome the nicotine addiction. The “bad” news is that this has become a threat to the tobacco industry as more and more doctors have actively prescribed the breakthrough medicine. As expected the Tobacco Cowboys would rather kill the Medicine man or his strong medicine than walk off into the sunset. But this proves to be harder and harder in a situation where people are becoming more health conscious while companies are realizing the financial losses resulting from tobacco related diseases. Adding to this growing culture against tobacco is the pro-active health officials who have realized that tobacco companies are just like drug dealers who will fight tooth and nail to keep their profits and sell their poison. So now we find an interesting turn of events where an undeclared war is taking shape. It does not feature tobacco executives versus health experts. Instead we find as the movie title suggested “Replacement Killers” or “the Alternates” who go to the war in the field of Public Relations. Alongside these combatants are public officials and personalities who like “Tonto” the Lone Ranger’s sidekick are either volunteers or victims in this battle between public health versus profit. . . . The bottom line is instead of finding ways and means to promote smoking cessation, instead of restricting the sale and distribution of cigarettes, instead of putting an end to second hand smoking, we find politicians acting like the champions and gladiators of the Gods of Tobacco! All this reminds me of a time in the United States when the Gods of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms simply ordered around the politicians who did their bidding because A.T.F were also the biggest campaign contributors. Until the time when campaign contributions can be truly monitored and until Lobbying becomes a truly respectable and legitimate endeavor, I guess we will simply have to keep fighting this dirty war versus tobacco and politics.

BFAD warns of anti-smoking drug side effects

newsfeedback@abs-cbn.com (TJ MANOTOC) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Philippine health authorities cautioned people on Thursday against taking the anti-smoking drug varenicline due to possible behavioral and psychiatric side effects, echoing a US warning. The drug, manufactured by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer under the brand name Chantix, was introduced in the Philippines in June 2007 under a "monitored release scheme," according to the health department's Bureau of Food and Drugs. "Although there has not been any report of adverse reaction/event among local patients, (the government) has decided to issue this warning in the best interest of the patients and the public, in general," said the government agency's director, Leticia Barbara Gutierrez.

Total ban on cigarette ads to begin July 1

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Starting July 1, any kind of advertisements on cigarettes will no longer be allowed as part of the government's campaign to discourage smoking as this is dangerous to a person's health. Dr. Judita Tawatao, the regional coordinator on non-communicable disease program of the Dept. of Health (DOH-7) during this morning's PIA Kapihan on June as 'No-Smoking Month' disclosed the gradual ban of cigarette ads started last year yet. Tobacco ads are seen to promote the vice of smoking which is not encouraged under the Anti-Smoking Law which also highlights the banning of smoking in public places or designating smoking areas in establishments and punishing those who sell cigarettes to children, this is said.

98% of West Visayas LGUs credited with anti-smoking ordinance

iloiloinfocen@yahoo.com (T. Villavert) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Some 98% of local government units in Western Visayas have anti-smoking ordinaces. This was disclosed by Dr. Erwin Solas, regional coordinator of the National Tobacco Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health, Region 6, in a PIA interview. Dr. Solas said that the local ordinaces are really very important to raise the level of awareness of the public regarding the drastic effects of smoke to human body well being because tobacco continues to be a leading global killer. Dr. Solas, who is the regional coordinator of the National Tobacco Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health, Region 6, said that last May 31 No Smoking Day observance's theme was "Tobacco-Free Youth".

Clearing the Air

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

They'd probably claim that smoke got in their eyes, disabling them from seeing posters and flyers that ban smoking in public places, in accordance with the provisions of R.A. 9211, the Philippine Tobacco Regulations Act. But smokers should know that the no-smoking rule has been in place since July 1, 2007 and covers elevators, stairwells, hospitals, airports, ship terminals, train stations, public untility vehicles and restaurants all over the country. Schools have been particularly stern in implementing the ban, aware that students have become the new target of cigarette companies because youngsters often equate worldly sophistication with a smoke. At the Mapua I.T Center Inc. in Makati City, Neil Edwin V. Yuzon of the Center for Student Activities and Discipline, reveals that Makati has banned smoking in all places and utility vehicles since 2002.

EDITORIAL: World No-Tobacco Day

Sat, 31 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Health Professionals Against Tobacco - Action and Answers" is this year's theme. Health professionals - doctors, nurses, public health people, nutritionists, dietitians, etc. - all over the world can do many things to help control tobacco use, as they reach to all sectors of the population, giving them advice, guidance, and answers to questions. They can forewarn children and adolescents of the dangers of tobacco use. Let's end tobacco use. Life is many times more precious than tobacco. Let us heed the Government's warning: "Smoking is dangerous to your health.'' Quit smoking and live longer.