Solon revives anti-smoking bill

MANILA, Philippines - In a bid to discourage people from smoking, a  lawmaker has filed a bill seeking the mandatory inclusion of picture based warnings on all packages of tobacco products.

Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas filed House Bill 3715 to promote public awareness on the dangers associated with cigarette smoking and second hand smoke.

"This is not an attack on the tobacco industry, rather, a public service information drive which factually and accurately describes the health consequences of smoking," Treñas said.

Treñas noted that the Philippines is a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control whose guiding principle is to inform the people of the health consequences, addictive nature and mortal threat posed by tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.

"The FCTC recognizes the spread of the tobacco epidemic as a global problem with serious consequences for public health and raises the international community's concern about the increase in the worldwide consumption and production of tobacco products, particularly in developing countries," Treñas said.

"Non-price measures, such as the inclusion of picture-based warnings in the packaging of tobacco products, are recognized by the FCTC and the international community as an effective means to reduce tobacco consumption," he said.

Under the measure, each tobacco product package must have picture-based warnings describing the harmful effects of tobacco use in conformity with the guidelines to be issued by the Department of Health, including minimum resolution, size and location within the principal display area of the warning.

The picture-based warning should occupy at least 50 percent of the principal display area in both the front and back panel of the two largest surface.

The picture-based warning must be large, clear and visible and the accompanying text warning must be easily readable and legible.

There shall be a minimum of eight variations which shall be printed simultaneously shouldered exclusively by the tobacco manufacturers and/or importers, and rotated periodically for each brand family and each brand variation within a brand family for each package size and type, in line with the DOH guidelines.

For violators, the measure provides for a fine of P1 million for the first offense, P5 million for the second and P20 million and the revocation of the business permit and license to operate for the third and final offense.

A person or legal entity who sells, distributes or displays any tobacco product without ensuring that the tobacco product package shall be penalized of P100,000 for the first offense, P500,000 for the second and P2 million and the revocation of the business permit and license to operate for the third offense.