June is National No-Smoking Month

By Claro A. Lanipa

Monday 4th of June 2012

PAADIAN CITY, June 4 (PIA) –- To raise public awareness on the ill effects of smoking and to encourage smokers to give up the habit, June has been declared National No-Smoking Month in the Philippines, pursuant to Proclamation No. 183.

As the world observed No Tobacco Day last May 31, the World Health organization is calling on national leaders to be extra vigilant against the increasingly aggressive attacks by the industry, which undermine policies that protect people from the harm of tobacco.

Tobacco kills almost six million people every year and is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death around the world.

Furthermore, tobacco kills up to half of its users. By 2030, WHO estimates that tobacco will kill more than eight million people every year, with four of five of these deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries.

Studies reveal that tobacco is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. NCDs account for 63 percent of all deaths worldwide.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) records 240 Filipinos die every day from tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking prevalence in the country is among the highest in the world, one factor is that, cigarette prices here are among the cheapest in the world.

On the other hand, second hand smoke kills children. For non-smokers, exposure to second hand smoke is estimated to kill another 600,000 people annually. Almost half of all children regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke and more than 40 percent of children have at least one smoking parent. In 2004, children accounted for nearly one third of deaths attributed to second hand smoke.

Studies further show, that most adult smokers started the habit before the age 20. To recruit new smokers, the tobacco industry’s relentless marketing machinery targets youth, especially young women.

Meanwhile, on its quest for KALUSUGAN PANGKALAHATAN (Universal Health Care), living a healthy lifestyle in an environment free tobacco smoke, the DOH initiated the Search for 100 percent Tobacco-Free Environment better known as the “DOH Red Orchid Award,” which aims to encourage provinces, municipalities, cities, workplaces and health facilities to adopt measures to protect people from the hazards of tobacco smoke and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Now on its third year, The DOH Red Orchid Awards 2012 proves to be the biggest and grandest search as it now provides a P500,000 project grant on tobacco control to local government units (LGU) winners for three consecutive years. This year five LGUs will vie for the Hall of Fame award, these are Calauag, Quezon; Davao City; Legaspi City; Maasin City; and Talisayan, Misamis Oriental.

While 25 municipalities, six cities, 28 government hospitals, 12 government offices, and 11 DOH centers for health development (CHDs or DOH regional offices) were proclaimed as Red Orchid awardees for the year. (JPA/CAL-PIA 9)