DOH calls for support in campaign for 'plain packaging' of tobacco products
By Leilani S. Junio
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) is calling for public support in the campaign for "plain packaging" of cigarettes in line with the celebration of “No Smoking Month†this June and “World No Tobacco Day†last May 31.
Plain (standardized) packaging of tobacco products refers to a measure that restricts the use of logos, colors, brand images or promotional information on packaging.
Under plain packaging, health warnings would continue to appear, but the brand portion of the package would have the same color for all brands.
The brand name would be allowed on packages, but only in a standard location, color, font style, and size.
“By plain packaging, ibig sabihin nito ay magkakaroon lang siya ng maliliit na tatak, konting tatak para malaman kung ano iyan at ang pinakaimportante is it will not add on and entice, especially the young generation, to keep on smoking or even initiate smoking,†said DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin in a press briefing held on Wednesday at the DOH Media Relations Unit in Tayuman, Santa Cruz, Manila.
This year's theme for "World No Tobacco Day" celebration is "Getting ready for plain packaging."
Secretary Garin said she also wants to extend the call to her successor at the DOH.
“We are going to pass this over to my successor and the new administration at ipanawagan 'yung campaign for plain packaging on tobacco -- ibig sabihin, dapat ang sigarilyo ay wala siyang maraming kaartehan at wala siyang maraming marketing strategy para ma-enganyo ang ating mga kabataan,†she added.
The Lady Health Chief also said that cigarette smoking not only causes cancers but also other ailments, including renal failure.
“And that is why we are now hitting two birds with one stone. Kung pwede talagang ihinto ang paninigarilyo, at 'yung mga di pa nagsimula, don’t attempt to start it, at kung sakaling nagsisigarilyo na, ugaliing bawasan ito dahil maski ikaw ay huminto sa paninigarilyo, eh nandiyan pa rin,†she said.
She said that in quitting or preventing smoking, the concerned individuals can start the determination by thinking of their families or loved ones as motivation.
“Kapag ikaw ay naninigarilyo, iyung perwisyo nito ay di lamang sa 'yong sarili kundi kasama nito 'yong mga tao sa palibot mo,†she added.
She also said that at present, they are intensifying the campaign among hypertension and diabetes clubs as part of avoiding or dealing early with the onset of complications before they turn into severe conditions.
The DOH, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other anti-tobacco partners come together annually every May 31 to celebrate "World No Tobacco Day."
Meanwhile, the whole month of June is observed as the "National No Smoking Month" for the country.
"We have achieved a historical milestone from our strong efforts to control tobacco use in the country and we will not waste that. Aside from the Sin Tax Reform Law, we believe the Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) Law will be of great help, especially in reminding Filipinos not to engage in smoking and to those who are smoking, to eventually quit. This year, World No Tobacco Day reminds us to go full blast in implementing GHW Law and that by November 4, 2016, the public should see graphic health warnings in all cigarette packs," Garin said.
Under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, to which the Philippines is a signatory, both the Article 11 and the Article 13 guidelines recommend that parties consider implementing plain packaging.
Since March this year, in line with the release of the Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) Law's implementing rules and regulations, all tobacco products manufactured or imported for sale in the Philippines are required to carry graphic health warnings on the lower portion of the cigarette pack, in at least 50 percent of both sides of the pack.
By November 2016, it is expected that all cigarette packaging that will appear in the market will be containing the GHW.
As a next step to that, the proposal is to turn the packaging into something plain and simple but still containing the GHW to make it less enticing.
"National No Smoking Month" is observed every June as per Proclamation No. 183, Series of 1993.
This year, DOH focuses in the campaign to inform the youth on the ill-effects of smoking and discourage them from starting to smoke. (PNA)
SCS/LSJ
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