PHL Joins World in Observance of No Tobacco Day

Manila– Malacañang on Saturday announced that the Philippines will be joining the World Health Organization (WHO) in observing World No Tobacco Day celebrated every May 31.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the event seeks to promote the reduction of tobacco consumption as a vital health and wellness measure.

“This observance heightens public awareness on the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocates the adoption of effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption,” Coloma said in an interview over state-run dzRB radio.

Coloma mentioned that in a recently published document, the WHO commended the Philippines as one of the countries in the world that successfully pushed for reforms in the government’s health agenda by enacting a law restructuring taxes on tobacco and alcohol.

This is Republic Act No. 10351, more commonly known as the “Sin Tax” Reform law, which President Aquino signed into law on 20 December 2012.

The PCOO chief further said that last May 22, the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), the tobacco control coalition in the ASEAN region, gave recognition to President Aquino, the Departments of Health and Finance for the country’s landmark achievement in passing and thereafter implementing the Sin Tax Reform Law.

“In a statement, SEATCA recognized President Aquino’s efforts in ‘inspiring leadership and unwavering political will to push forward a revolutionary sin tax reform law thereby putting public health before profits and ensuring tobacco control measures,’” Coloma said.

According to the WHO, tobacco kills nearly six million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke.

For World No Tobacco Day 2014, the WHO calls on more countries to raise taxes on tobacco products. (PNA) JBP/ANP