Davao’s war against smoking heightened

Eight years spent advocating for a smoke-free environment has not been for nothing. Since the landmark anti-smoking ordinance was passed by the Davao City Council, Dabawenyos’ awareness of health problems brought about by smoking has heightened with the passing of time.
In fact, among the 168 countries that are signatories to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Philippines, represented by Davao City, bagged the Global Smoke-free partnership award last February 22 in Singapore. The award, in the form of a crystal ball, gave recognition to Davao as the only city in the world that through its local government unit has most arduously supported the global anti-smoking campaign. This was bared by Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz, co-chair of the city’s Anti-Smoking Task Force, during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Davao last April 5. Similar campaigns in other signatory countries are being led by non-government organizations.
The United Nations has identified certain concrete actions to step up the anti-smoking campaign. Like for example, aside from the government warning that smoking is hazardous to one’s health,  the packaging of cigarettes should also contain pictures that graphically depict the ill-effects of   smoking on human organs. Villarreiz elaborated that a child, who may be asked by a relative to go and light a cigarette for the latter, would see the image on the cigarette package and become aware of the harm to one’s health caused by smoking.
Another action which has already been practiced in the country is to ban advertisements of  tobacco products, whether on billboards, publications, radio, television and other promotional gimmickry. That leaves only the items themselves as displayed on store shelves. Increasing the tobacco tax up to 65% of the net retail price is another challenge that has yet to be taken by the Philippine government.
Villarreiz said that in January and February of 2010 alone, 179 individuals in Davao City were arrested for violating the anti-smoking ordinance, a good sign that the government is fully committed to the enforcement of the law—even in government offices, as covered by a civil service memorandum which requires all government offices, local or national, to be smoke-free.
Moreover, all public utility vehicles (PUVs) registered with the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) must have “no smoking” signs or stickers visible to passengers. PUV operators who fail to comply with the policy will be fined P500. The same requirement is applied to vehicles that are not under the LTFRB, like motorized tricycles.  Terminals must also have visible “no-smoking” signs.
Commercial establishments like coffee shops and restaurants are prohibited from putting up smoking areas. Villarreiz said only seven establishments in the city have government-approved  smoking areas. She added that the task force aims to push for enactment of another ordinance that guarantees a 100% smoke-free environment—which means there will be no more smoking areas in public places. As clarified by Villarreiz, “public places” may include those that are privately owned but accommodate or serve the public.
The anti-smoking ordinance, along with its sanctions, is not what makes the law so potent in this campaign. What made a thousand smokers quit their vice in the past eight years was not really the fear of punishment itself, but the knowledge and motivation they gained from various forms of educating them about the hazards of smoking. Aside from large tarpaulins portraying images  of smokers’ scarred lungs, or that of an innocent child becoming a second-hand smoker along with with striking slogans posted at strategic areas of the city, the harmful health effects of smoking are also substantively explained using the dialect through leaflets and other reading materials.
Sixty percent (60%) of those who suffer from tuberculosis are smokers; many of them still  in their youth. This fact suggests that smoking appeals to the youth as well. Villarreiz pointed out that despite the emergence of “replacement smokers”—young smokers who replace those who already quit—the increase in number of quitters is still significant.  
Is it possible to totally ban smoking? It is not. Villarreiz maintains that smoking is still a person’s right, however, the government can campaign for a 100% smoke-free environment. As part of the World Health Day celebration with the theme “Urbanization and Health”, the City Health Office and DOH organized a series of week-long activities (April 7-11). An information, education and communication dissemination and counseling program was conducted which also included smoking-related issues. The Anti-smoking Task Force already has grandiose plans on its 8th anniversary come May 31. Apparently, Dabawenyos are on their way to becoming more concerned with their health and wellness!