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Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Arroyo signs new tobacco law
By Ria Isidro-de Fiesta
SAN FERNANDO -- President Arroyo signed into law Monday a bill that will protect both active and passive smokers in the country.
The signing of Republic Act 9211, an act regulating the use, sale and advertisement of tobacco products, was witnessed by its author 3rd District Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, and the leadership of the House of Representatives in Malacaņang.
Rodriguez said that the main thrusts of the new Tobacco Regulation Law are to promote a smoke-free environment policy, regulate all tobacco advertisements, regulate the labeling of tobacco products and prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors.
"The implementation of the new no smoking law aims to protect the general public from inhaling smoke emitted by cigars, cigarettes and tobacco pipes which can contribute to respiratory illnesses," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez added that to ensure the full implementation of the Tobacco Regulation Law, an inter-agency committee would be organized.
It would be headed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with the Environment, Science and Technology and Education departments and the National Tobacco Administration.
A Congressional Oversight Committee on Tobacco will also be formed to monitor and review the implementation of the law.
According to Rodriguez, RA 9211 bans smoking in centers of youth activity and recreation (schools, colleges, universities, recreational facilities), public and private health care institutions (hospitals, medical, dental, optical clinics, health centers and nursing homes), and public conveyances and transport facilities (elevators and stairwells, taxis, passenger buses/jeepneys, trains and airport terminals).
The Tobacco Regulation Law also provides that the smoking areas in malls, commercial buildings and private workplaces must be an open space or separate area with proper ventilation.
"It also prohibits the sale and advertisement of tobacco products to minors," Rodriguez said, as he added that seller of tobacco products must put up a "No Sale to Minors" and "Smoking is Dangerous to your Health" signs.
The same warning, the law states, must be imprinted on the packages of tobacco products and indicated on advertising and promotion materials, as part of the law's restrictions on tobacco advertising.
"We hope to instill responsibility on smokers and sellers of tobacco products. Every time they light a stick, they should be aware of the health hazards of smoking. Smokers should be considerate of the people around them who helplessly breathe in smoke-polluted air," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said that in order to be proactive, the Tobacco Regulation Law also provides a research and development program, a national tobacco-free public education program, displaced cigarette factory workers' assistance program, and health programs with medical institutions for the planning, carrying out and evaluating of activities related to smoking-related diseases.
"We want to proactively assist and support the tobacco farmers and tobacco factory workers who will be directly affected by this law. We will be responsible in helping them find alternative livelihood," Rodriguez said.
(June 24, 2003 issue)
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