Philippines planning to ban smoking

In International Affairs
October 12, 2016

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign a regulation this month banning smoking in public across Southeast Asia’s second-most populous country, rolling out among the toughest anti-tobacco laws in the region. Smoking comes with a lot of backlash as it can cause many issues in people and those around them. An example of this is to do with oral health, not only can it have the potential to cause oral cancer which is highly serious, but it also stains and discolors teeth with people needing to use a teeth whitening product to try and salvage the look of their teeth, however, this is a mild issue compared to the cancers it can cause.

Public health campaigners who have long battled against the country’s hefty tobacco lobby welcomed the push to end smoking in public places.
Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial hoped the president would sign the ban, which expands the definition of public places, into law before the end of October and that it would come into effect next month.
She was quoted by newspapers as saying that no smoking would be allowed in public places, whether indoor or outdoor. “Parks, bus stations, and even in vehicles. All these are considered public places. She later clarified the law would apply only to public vehicles.
Designated smoking areas will be set up, at least 10 meters (33 feet) outside buildings, according to a draft of the executive order.
These areas designated for smoking could be used by both smokers and those who use vaping products such as those found on mmjexpress.
Around 17 million people, or nearly a third of the adult population, smoke in the Philippines, according to a 2014 report by Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, – the second-highest in the region after Indonesia.
Nearly half of all Filipino men and 9 percent of women smoke and experts say the habit costs the economy nearly $4 billion in healthcare and productivity losses every year.
The Philippines ban will also cover ‘vaping’ or the use of ecig. However, rather than outlawing all products at once, this might be part of a future agenda.
Penalties for breaking the anti-smoking law in Davao can include a 5,000 Philippine peso ($103) fine or four months in prison.
The nationwide ban is set to be among the strictest no-smoking laws in Southeast Asia.
The region is home to nearly 10 percent of the world’s smokers and while most countries have partial smoking bans in place, enforcement is often lax.