Politicians urged not to accept campaign aid from tobacco firms

Politicians who are planning to run for any position next election were asked by health advocates to avoid accepting campaign assistance from anyone in the tobacco industry.

“We appeal to our political candidates to adhere to the law. If your service to the nation is sincere, then do not allow the tobacco industry to have anything to do with you. Do not be partners with an industry that is responsible for the thousands of deaths and diseases being experienced by our country every year due to smoking,” New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) President Emer Rojas said in a statement issued yesterday.

Rojas reminded the candidates that the joint Civil Service Commission and the Department of Health’s (DOH’s) Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-01prohibits public officials from engaging with the tobacco industry.

“As candidates start preparing for the national elections we expect tobacco makers to increase their influence over government and policy development by supporting some politicians. Let this come as a warning that we in the health community will be watching you and that we will expose you,” the NVAP president warned.

The danger in getting assistance from the tobacco industry, Rojas noted, is that officials “will become beholden to the industry because of this supposed aid. This unholy alliance eventually creates a barrier for tobacco control policies getting implemented among LGU areas.”