The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday urged the 17 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila to comply their respective smoking ordinances with that of the World Health Organization-Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC).
The MMDA said this effort must be enforced in order to curb the rising global epidemic on tobacco use.
“We have to stand our grounds despite the struggles in implementing a smoke-free Metropolitan Manila,” said MMDA chairman Danilo Lim in a message read by MMDA Special Assistant for Planning Retired General Jose Campo
The WHO-FCTC, according to its website, is developed in response to the “globalization of tobacco epidemic.” It is also an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
Studies conducted by various health groups also revealed that the Philippines has one of the cheapest prices of cigarettes in the world compared to other countries, with one pack costing less than a dollar.
With the current situation, the possible rise in the number of Filipino smokers was the primary concern of various health groups, citing a study by the National Academy of Science and Technology that said an estimated 200,000 Filipinos are likely to become smokers by 2018.
Health experts estimate that about 150,000 Filipinos die every year, or around 400 everyday, from smoking.
Currently, only four cities and a municipality in Metro Manila have been regarded as being compliant with WHO-FCTC and these are Caloocan City, San Juan City, Muntinlupa City, Mandaluyong City and Municipality of Pateros.
For her part, Loida Alzona, head of the MMDA Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office (HPSEPO), reiterated that the goal is to make whole Metro Manila compliant with the WHO-FCTC to promote better health and to lessen the cases of smoking-related diseases.
“The purpose of the smoke-free forum is to highlight the experiences of the local government units in Metro Manila relative to the passage and implementation of tobacco control policies compliant with FCTC,” she said.
