CSC Renews Call for Strict Implementation of Smoke-free Policies

As it joins the observance of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded state workers anew on the prohibition against smoking in government premises and against interacting with the tobacco industry.

CSC Commissioner Robert S. Martinez said that under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 17 issued in May 2009, an “absolute smoking ban” is imposed in all premises of government agencies that provide health, education, and social welfare and development services such as hospitals, health centers, schools and universities. Thus, smoking areas are not allowed to be designated in these places.

For government premises not belonging to said categories, smoking is also prohibited except in open spaces designated as ‘smoking areas’.

Moreover, the CSC and Department of Health’s (DOH) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2010-01 bans government officials and employees from interacting with the tobacco industry, unless when strictly necessary for effective regulation, supervision or control.

JMC 2010-01 aims to protect the bureaucracy against tobacco industry interference, or tactics and strategies used by the tobacco industry to interfere with the setting and implementing of tobacco control measures.

Prohibited acts include providing preferential treatment such as incentives and exemptions to the tobacco industry, and soliciting or accepting any donation or favor from the tobacco industry in connection with any operation or transaction of the agency.

Commissioner Martinez said that the health and wellness of state workers remains to be a major concern of the Commission. “As the central human resource institution of government, the CSC places premium on the health and wellness, primarily of civil servants, and also of the country’s human capital in general, as we believe that a person’s health directly correlates with his or her productivity,” he said.

“While we respect the fact that smoking remains to be a personal choice, we urge public servants to make the better choice, to choose the path toward a healthier lifestyle,” he added.

For more information, check out Race Towards a Tobacco Industry Interference-Free Civil Service

Source: web.csc.gov.ph