Smoking ban in government offices sought

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – A smoking ban should be imposed in government offices in this city, the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao has said.

In a press conference on Friday, Nur-Aian Caridad, DOH-Northern Mindanao spokesperson, said the city government should be among the recipients of the DOH Red Orchid award, which recognizes tobacco-free environments.

Caridad made the call as the government started the full implementation of the Graphic Health Warning law on cigarette packs. Under the law, all tobacco products shall bear photographs depicting the ill-effects of smoking on 50 percent of the front and back panels of cigarette packs.

Caridad said only two government agencies in the city – the regional offices of the Department of Budget and Management and the Land Transportation Office – received the award.

Aside from trophies and certificates, awardees receive P100,000 worth of medicine to stop smoking and cure non-communicable diseases.

There are smoking cessation clinics at the DOH regional office and Northern Mindanao Medical Center based in this city.