Tobacco firms, PMA weigh in on MMDA smoking ban

MANILA, Philippines - Two groups expressed their opposing stances yesterday on an anti-smoking drive launched by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Monday.

The Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI), a group of tobacco firms, said they are concerned over the MMDA’s move to ban smoking on the sidewalks of major and secondary roads in the metropolis.

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), on the other hand, expressed support for MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, citing studies that support his move for a total ban on smoking in public places.

Out of bounds

In a statement, PTI president Rodolfo Salanga said the MMDA’s campaign runs counter to the provisions of Republic Act 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulations Act of 2003.  

He said while they support RA 9211 “as this gives cigarette manufacturers, adult consumers, wholesalers and retailers, tobacco farmers, and government regulators a guideline on how tobacco products should be packaged, advertised, used, and distributed,” they believe the MDDA “stepped out of bounds when it included major roads in the list of areas where smoking is disallowed.”

Salanga urged the MMDA to only impose the “no smoking” policy in areas identified by RA 9211. Tolentino earlier said that he considers sidewalks – though not expressly identified in the law – among the public places where smoking should be banned.

“We entirely support this law,” Salanga said. “We hope that MMDA follows what is written in the law.”

Among the member firms of PTI are Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc., Fortune Tobacco Corp., Japan Tobacco Inc., La Suerte Cigar and Cigarette Factory, Associated Anglo American Tobacco Corp. and Mighty Corp.

Uphold ‘Smoke-Free Philippines’

PMA president Dr. Oscar Tinio said their group’s 70,000 doctor-members have been asked to uphold the group’s “Smoke Free Philippines” advocacy, launched last February, to reinforce the MMDA’s campaign.

 “Smoking kills! As physicians, it is our duty to inform the public of the clear and present danger of tobacco smoking to our health and lives,” he noted.

Tinio added those who do not smoke but are exposed to cigarette smoke are also at risk of developing tobacco-related illnesses.

“Second-hand and even third-hand tobacco smoke equally kills people,” Tinio said, citing a study showing that more than 20 percent of heart attacks among Metro Manila’s 12 million residents can be attributed to second-hand smoke. The study was done by the World Lung Foundation (WLF) and the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

According to the study, those exposed to second-hand smoke for one to seven hours per week, “the total attributable heart attacks would be approximately 10 percent.” This increases to more than 20 percent if the person is exposed for more than 21 hours per week.

Tinio said a United States government study shows that “only by eliminating smoking in indoor spaces can a non-smoker be fully protected from exposure to second-hand smoke.”

“This study further confirms that the usual practice of separating smokers from non-smokers in public places cannot eliminate dangerous exposures of non-smokers to second-hand smoke even if air cleaning devices and building ventilations are used,” he added.

Tinio said that “these shocking revelations necessitate the total ban on tobacco smoke in public places.”