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Wednesday, June 25, 2003
New anti-smoking law seen to have little effect
By Arvy E. Lopez
THE new anti-smoking law to be implemented by the Philippine government will have little effect on both the business and government sectors.
In an interview with Sun.Star, a source from Alain Asia Trading, exclusive distributor of Philip Morris and Marlboro cigarettes in Cebu and Bohol, said the new law would not affect its sales.
The source, who requested anonymity, said Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc., makers of Philip and Marlboro, had always been strict when it came to distributing its products and the new policy was not new to them.
“Even before this law, Philip Morris had always banned the selling of cigarettes to minors. It also does not allow its distributors to put up banners and ad materials near schools and churches,” she added.
President Arroyo on Monday signed a law regulating the packaging, use, sale, distribution, and promotion of tobacco products in the country.
The government will also ban smoking in all public areas, including schools, recreational facilities, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, restaurants, and other areas frequently used by children.
The source explained that even before the anti-smoking law, tobacco firms were already experiencing drops in sales, depending on the season.
“Usually, the peak season is during major events. But the City sometimes bans cigarette smoking in public and that’s when we usually experience a slump in our sales,” she said.
Sponsorship
The new law also prohibits tobacco companies from sponsoring sports, cultural and educational events.
Despite this, Department of Education English Educational Supervisor Vicente Maglasang said the new law would not affect the department.
He told Sun.Star that as far as he could remember, the DepEd had not asked for sponsorship for its sporting events and educational programs from tobacco companies.
As for the hotel and restaurant business, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel press relations manager Charisse Que said it was still unclear how the new law would affect the hotel or its patrons.
She said Waterfront was operating as usual and it was still planning how to implement the new law in its premises.
(June 25, 2003 issue)
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