By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of
Health-Center for Health and Development Zamboanga Peninsula (DOH-CHD ZP) is
now intensifying its campaign on smoke-free environment in all local government
units (LGUs) in the region.
DOH-CHD ZP Public Information Officer Ms. Teresita dela
Cruz said “our campaign for a smoke-free environment is based on the World
Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which
is being supported by Republic Act No. 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco
Regulation Act of 2013.
FCTC aims to protect the present and future generations
from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of
tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by providing a framework for
tobacco control measures.
“It has 168 signatories including the European
communities and the Philippines. The parties are determined to give priority to
the right to protect public health,” she said.
“Every country or nation has the right to protect its
citizens. In the Philippines the DOH is the lead agency to implement this
right,” dela Cruz explained.
“Research made by scientists on the ill effects of
tobacco use had revealed that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke
would cause death. It can no longer be contested,” dela Cruz emphasized.
She also encouraged all LGUs in the region to support
this cause for a smoke-free environment, as they have full jurisdiction and
control over their respective provinces/cities/municipalities.
“It is now for us to do something - it may not be for
us anymore - but for the next generations,” dela Cruz said. (PIA9)