by: Claro A. Lanipa
Pagadian City 04, June (PIA) – With the aim to raise public awareness on the
ill effects of smoking as well as to encourage smokers to give up the habit,
June has been declared as National No-Smoking Month in the Philippines,
pursuant to Proclamation No. 183.
As the world observed No Tobacco Day
last May 31, World Health Organization (WHO) 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 6 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 8 million
people every year, with four of five of these deaths occurring in low and
middle-income countries.
Studies revealed 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% of all
deaths worldwide.
In the Philippines, the Department of
Health (DOH) recorded 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% 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 shows, 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% 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 (5) LGUs will vie for the Hall of Fame award, they are
Calauag, Quezon; Davao City; Legaspi City; Maasin City; and Talisayan, Misamis
Oriental.
While 25 municipalities, 6 cities, 28
government hospitals, 12 government offices and 11 DOH centers for health
development (CHDs or DOH regional offices) are proclaimed as Red Orchid
awardees for the year. (CAL/PIA9)