Time’s up, tobacco! UAAP athletes join the campaign against smoking
January 30, 2015240 smokers die every day
February 12, 2015
MANILA — Death by smoking is now considered a global epidemic, according to Health Justice, a non-government organization with an advocacy to reduce the number of smokers in the country.
Atty. Ma. Paz Luna of Health Justice on Thursday said there are 87,600 people who die every year due to smoking — or around 240 daily deaths.
She also claimed that the Philippines has the largest lobby group interfering with the implementation of Republic Act 10643, which aims to put graphic warnings on tobacco products.
Dr. Mary Assunta of Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance also confirmed that the number of deaths caused by smoking is now at an alarming level. With this scenario, she urged the government to re-study their program to minimize the number of casualties.
“Nicotine is considered addictive and so every individual must seriously consider their warning,” Assunta said.
At present, the Philippines is a signatory in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which led to the passing of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act.
But while the law was passed, the graphic health warning law requiring tobacco manufacturers to print photos of the ill effects of smoking have not been fully implemented.
