Cover image via IBTimes
Good news, anti-smoking advocates: President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign the nationwide smoking ban order [R.A. 9211] (http://www.gov.ph/2003/06/23/republic-act-no-9211/) this October!
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial reported that the draft executive order providing for a smoking-free Philippines is awaiting Duterte's signature. The executive order is almost a duplicate of the R.A. 9211 ordinance providing for a total smoking ban in Davao City.
"We already submitted the draft executive order and the President will probably sign it within October," Ubial told the press.
Image via News5
Every year, there are about 20,000 smoking-related deaths in the Philippines. 10 Filipinos die every hour due to tobacco-related diseases.
According to the Philippines's Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2009), 28.3%of total adults or 17.3M smoke. **There are around 14.6M adult males** (48%) **who smoke and 2.8M adult females** (9%), according to WHO Western Pacific Region ([WPRO] (http://www.wpro.who.int/en/)).
Image via Tobacco Campaign
Did you know that smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death?
Smoking is a prime factor in heart disease, stroke and chronic lung disease. It can cause cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, mouth, and bladder, and contributes to cancer of the cervix, pancreas, and kidneys.
Image via NSW Government
Smoking is not only affecting the active smokers, but also the persons exposed to the passive "secondhand" smoke
Among the most common smoke-related diseases are COPD, heart disease, cancer and stroke. Smoking is also a common trigger for asthma exacerbations and can in uence asthma development.
**Promoting a smoke-free and alcohol-free environment is therefore an important component of promoting healthy lifestyle among individuals and in communities** as stated in 'Promoting Smoke-free Individuals' [module] (http://documentslide.com/documents/smoking1232.html).
Image via Adam Cohn / Flickr
The purpose of the R.A. 9211 is to promote a healthful environment, inform the public of the health risks of smoking, and to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors
Image via Official Gazette
The ban order also states that smoking is prohibited in public places, whether indoors or outdoors
"**There will be no smoking in public places anymore, whether indoor or outdoor. Parks, bus stations, and even in vehicles. All these are considered public places.**"
"We are still trying to explore amending the law, RA 9211, because of the many contentious issues and gray areas," added Ubial as she cited point-of-sale advertisements and the designation of smoking areas as among the gray areas in the existing law.
Image via Adam Cohn / Flickr
