Cancer survivors hope for nationwide smoking ban

A group of cancer survivors is hoping that a ban on smoking in all public places in the country can be implemented by the incoming administration.

In a press statement, New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) president Emer Rojas said they are optimistic that president-elect Rodrigo Duterte will replicate his antismoking campaign in Davao City all over the country.

“We are hoping that (the) incoming president, an action man, will fast-track imposing a nationwide smoking ban. We have a law banning smoking in public places, but it is seldom implemented even after more than 10 years of enactment,” Rojas noted.

He said that if Duterte himself would push for such a ban, local authorities would be

obliged to follow.

“We are excited for him to replicate what he did in Davao to the rest of the country. Imagine being in a public space where you and your family are safe from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke,” Rojas added.

He said there is “no safe exposure from tobacco smoke” so smoking should be prohibited in all public places.

“With all the toxic chemicals associated with it, inhaling tobacco smoke is like breathing in poison coming from another person,” Rojas also said.

It is estimated that tobacco contains 7,000 chemicals, including 70 cancer-causing ingredients.

Rojas said Duterte knows exactly what it meant to be sick from tobacco consumption as he reportedly had Buerger’s disease, a condition that causes the swelling of blood vessels and prevents the flow of blood, leading to tissue damage.

In 2002 Duterte, as mayor of Davao, imposed an antismoking ordinance in the city, including smoking in governhave ment-owned vehicles, accommodation and entertainment establishments, particularly enclosed public spaces, public buildings and public outdoor spaces.

Up to this day Davao remains a global smoke- free model city because of what Duterte started 14 years ago.

“A national smoking ban will save millions of Filipinos, especially children and the youth, from the ill effects of secondhand smoke. This will also save Filipino families and the country from the health costs of treating diseases that originate from this mode of inhaling tobacco smoke,” Rojas said.