More young women smoke, health official says

A HEALTH official on Friday said there is an urgent need to start anti-smoking campaign as study showed more Filipino girls are into smoking.

DOH-Western Visayas Director Ariel Valencia said a DOH study showed more young Filipino girls between 13 to 15 years are smoking even in school campuses.

The study was corroborated by the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (Icast) showing women who are students and those working in the business process outsourcing are into smoking.

Valencia said the department had imposed graphic warnings on cigarette packages but were ignored, adding there is an urgent need to start anti-smoking campaign even with elementary school pupils.

The DOH anti-smoking campaign is included in the Civil Service Commission (CSC) drive, banning smokes in all government offices and facilities.

The Icast also bans smoking in public places and establishments except in designated smoking areas in Iloilo City.

Valencia said the smoking situation in Western Visayas has already reached alarming proportion that needs the unified effort of the community, schools, parents, government and the church to campaign against it.