Press Release
June 5, 2008

June is No Smoking Month
Pia calls on fellow senators--both smokers and non-smokers--to support stronger cigarette labeling bill

Saying that text based warnings is not enough to inform consumers of the hazards of cigarette smoking, Senator Pia Cayetano called on her fellow lawmakers to support the passage of the Picture-Based Health Warning Bill (SB 2377) which the lady senator sponsored in plenary last night.

Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, pointed out that picture-based health warnings have proven to be more effective in discouraging smoking based on the experiences of countries which have enacted similar legislation.

She said most smokers realize the risks of smoking too late, like when an ailment afflicts them or their loved ones who inhale second hand smoke.

"As the saying goes, 'a picture paints a thousand words' Studies have shown that picture based health warnings are more effective than text warnings alone. In fact, a study revealed that such health warnings are 60 times more effective in terms of encouraging cessation and prevention than text only labels," she stated.

"Pictorial health warnings on tobacco products already exist in 15 countries, both developed and developing, all over the world. In fact, cigarette packages manufactured in the Philippines and sold in our neighboring countries such as Singapore and Thailand already include picture-based health warnings which are required by law these two countries.

"On the other hand, cigarette packages manufactured in Singapore and sold in the Philippines carry only textual health warnings because picture-based health warnings are not required in the Philippines."

SB 2377 requires all cigarette packages and other tobacco product packages found in the market to bear highly visible full-color photographic picture warning and an accompanying textual warning that explains in simple terms what the picture is all about. Gruesome pictures of throat cancer, lung cancer and other ill effects on health of smoking are among the graphic warnings that is proposed to be printed in cigarette packs.

The bill will also prohibit the use of descriptors, including terms, trademarks, or any sign or feature that creates or is likely to create the false impression that a product or brand is less harmful.

Aside from SB 2377, Cayetano is also pushing for Senate Bill No. 2378 which is pushing for the amendment of RA 9211. The bill aims to make the Department of Health (DOH), instead of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) the lead agency in implementing RA 9211, and removes Philippine Tobacco Institute, the organization representing the tobacco companies, from its membership in the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-T).

"The number of people dying due to the ill-effect of tobacco smoke is high and is getting higher as we speak. The effect on innocent people especially the children is great. The damage to the environment is devastating. We need not wait for these ruinous things to happen and we can act now," she concluded.

In his manifestation to support Cayetano's bill, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. moved to place posters in the halls of the Senate, including the smoking area of the senators' lounge, to remind the employees and lawmakers themselves that June is observed as "No Smoking Month." The motion was seconded and approved by Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada.

News Latest News Feed