The World Health Organization (WHO) expresses its concern about the Philippines’ hosting of ProTobEx ASIA, an annual trade show involving some of the world's biggest tobacco manufacturers and advertisers.
The United Nations Country Team in the Philippines—of which WHO is part—has conveyed in a letter to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III its confidence in the Philippine Government’s commitment to regulate tobacco in the country to protect Filipinos from tobacco's harmful effects.
The Philippines is one of 176 Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), whose article 13 requires a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. “Despite the significant decrease in the prevalence of smoking among youths 13 to 15 years old, the tobacco epidemic in the country remains a serious issue,” said Dr Eigil Sorensen, Senior Health Advisor at WHO Philippines. He cited the Global Youth Tobacco Survey done in 2011 by the Philippine Department of Health, which showed that 1 out of 10 youths currently smoke as compared to the 2 out of 10 youths who were current smokers in 2007.
“Close to 14 million adult Filipinos smoke every day, and if this trend continues, the estimated 10 Filipinos dying by the hour due to tobacco-related diseases—deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke—will continue to escalate,” said Dr Sorensen.
He also pointed to the increasing health hazard posed by second-hand smoke to children and youths in their homes, increasing their risk for lung disease, asthma and cancer.
Aggressive cigarette advertisements and promotions, such as the planned gathering in Manila, have been shown to entice young people to start smoking early, and once they start, keep them on their addictive habit, explained Dr Sorensen.
He conveyed WHO’s assurance on the Government’s commitment to protect the health and well-being of every Filipino from the harm from tobacco products by protecting Filipinos, especially young people, from aggressive marketing and promotion of tobacco products.
Aside from the WHO FCTC, the Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulatory Act of 2003, provides for a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
ProTobEx ASIA will take place on 20 to 22 March 2013 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
