Smoke-Free Policy of Starbucks begins on June 27

It is true; Starbucks Philippines will be imposing a non smoking policy in the store nationwide in support of Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211). Where it says in the section 5:

“The sale or distribution of tobacco products is prohibited within one hundred (100) meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented particularly by minors.” (RA 9211 Sec.5)

In this case Starbucks branches are usually located near to schools and malls where minors and students usually hang out with their friends and family members

MMDA also implemented non smoking policy in public areas such as main roads, schools and public/government offices. For those who failed on this ordinance, violators will be fined or will do community service on a determined time. The main objective it protect non smokers from the impact of second smoking to the health. On the 27th of June Starbucks Philippines will be converting the smoking area to non-smoking area too. In the case of RA 9211 Sec.5 offenders will be fined 5,000 pesos or imprisonment of maximum of 30 days for first offense, and for succeeding offense the business licenses or permits of the establishments that allow this or neglect to follow the law will be canceled.

2 Year Old Kid Smoking in Indonesia – Alarming!

Last night on TV Patrol World, a 2 year old Indonesian kid was shown smoking cigarettes in a CNN report done by Arwa Damon. The video shows that Aldi, the 2 year old Indonesian boy smoking cigarettes just like an adult smoker know knows to hold and puff smokes from the cigarettes. In Arwa’s report she asked advice from the National Commission for Child Protection in Indonesia and according to them that the environment gives a big impact on the children who smokes at the early age.

Aldi can consume 40 cigarettes a day throws tantrums or even hurt himself if now given a single stick every time his addiction occurs. Before our main concerns is how to solve tobacco issues like second hand and third hand smoking where it has big impact on the health of children and pregnant women, now aside from selling cigarettes to minors we are facing the dilemma of smokers getting younger not being aware of the health risk they might be encountering because of smoking, and more at the early age.

Here in the Philippines we implemented Tobacco Regulation Act that restricts selling cigarettes to minors, advertisement/promotions and smoking in public places. Sadly like in Indonesia and other countries there are policies (maybe) on tobacco regulations but the implementation is weak or sometimes the government almost forgot that there are existing laws concerning issues like this. Another weak spot on tobacco regulations like in the Philippines is on not implementing image based tobacco warning that will be more powerful that the text warning. If Australia can do that so why does Philippines and other countries can’t implement, unless the policy makers are weak.

Watch the video on CNN.com.

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More effective like Yosi Kadiri

February 12, Gateway Suite, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- In line with the “Mga Nagbabagang Kwento: Tobacco Control Media Project of Framework Convention of Tobacco Control Alliance – Philippines,” together with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Probe Media Foundation Inc, there would be a three-part discussion about tobacco control on this blog.

After discussing the effect of smoking to health and the new marketing strategies of tobacco companies, we end up on my third entry for my “Mga Nagbabagang Kwento: Tobacco Control Media Project,” on the government implementation on tobacco control.

During the times of former Senator Juan Flavier as the Health secretary in 1992, he created a campaign that woes smokers and reminds them on the effects of smoking through the tarred monster known as “Yosi Kadiri.” Yosi Kadiri is depicted puffing smoke while on its green-yellow face it shows the effect of smoke, tar and nicotine on the physical appearance of a person. Unfortunately, Yosi Kadiri didn’t last until Flavier ran for Senate and gave up being a DOH secretary seat in 1995. The succeeding DOH secretaries didn’t carry over this campaign. Instead, they focus on other projects.

The Yosi Kadiri project was expensive to maintain, according to DOH Undersecretary Alex Padilla. According to Padilla, DOH is looking for other opportunities and concepts that would win the consciousness of smokers like what Flavier did before. He looks on the possible implementation on the international tobacco control policy, which includes smoke free implementation on buildings and companies. However, the real scenario is that smoking rooms/areas exist, which doesn’t prevent people from smoking. While in other areas, cigarettes are sold upon request of the buy, and it is not fully displayed in convenient stores or markets. In the Philippines though, tobacco products are sold even in sidewalks which the youth has an easy access on it. Here is statement of Usec Padilla on the international tobacco control policy:


Tobacco companies may be re-channeling their market strategies, but there are existing laws which would halt obvious scenarios such as minors buying cigarettes. The only thing that is needed in this campaign is political will, proper implementation of the law and expanding the possible implementation of the international policy in the Philippines. Each day, someone dies because of a tobacco-related disease.

Is warning text enough to remind people of the health risk they would be getting in cigarette smoking? Or is it time to implement an image-based warning to show the smokers the health problem that they would be facing every time they smoke. As my third and last tobacco control entry for the “Mga Nagbabagang Kwento: Tobacco Control Media Project,” I would be leaving this anti-tobacco campaign blog post with Australia implementing an image-based warning on cigarette smoking. Now, if Australians could do it, why couldn’t we implement here in the Philippines?

Related Article:

• Smoking is dangerous to your health and more to the minors
• Cigarette companies re-channel their marketing strategies
  

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Cigarette companies re-channel their marketing strategies

February 12, Gateway Suite, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- In line with the “Mga Nagbabagang Kwento: Tobacco Control Media Project of Framework Convention of Tobacco Control Alliance – Philippines,” together with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Probe Media Foundation Inc, there would be a three-part discussion about tobacco control on this blog.

Since the implementation of the Tobacco Regulation act in 2003—which restricts ads on tobacco products in all forms of media--the cigarette companies are now re-channeling their marketing efforts to be more indirect, yet it creates a subconscious impact to its possible future buyers. This is the second entry for my “Mga Nagbabagang Kwento: Tobacco Control Media Project,” on their new marketing strategies and indirect advertising.


The Tobacco Control Act of 2003, section 22 stipulates that advertising cigarette products on television, cable, and radio is prohibited, and distribution of leaflets, posters and similar outdoor advertising materials are not allowed--except inside the premise of point-of-sale. Here is the specific information in on grounds and out of the box campaign:

“Sec. 23. Restrictions on Tobacco Promotions - The following restrictions shall apply

on all tobacco promotions.

a. Promotions must be directed only to persons at least eighteen (18) years old. No person below eighteen (18) years old or who appear to be below eighteen (18) years old may participate in such promotions. The participants in promotions must be required to provide proof of age.

b. Communications to consumers about tobacco promotions shall comply with the provisions of this Act governing tobacco advertising. In addition to the required health warning, the age requirement for participation in any promotion must be clearly marked on the program materials distributed to consumers.

c. All stalls, booths and other display concerning tobacco promotions must be limited to point-of-sale of adult only facilities.

d. Telephone communications concerning promotional offers, programs or events must include a recorded health warning message in English or Filipino consistent with the warnings specified in this Act.

e. No placement shall be made by manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of any tobacco product or tobacco product packages and advertisement as a prop in any television program or motion picture produced for viewing by the general public or in a video, or optical disc or on video game machine. l

f. The name, logo or other indicia of a cigarette brand may appear on cigarette lighters, ashtrays, of other smoking related items. If such name, logo or other indicia of the cigarette brand is larger than fifty (50) square centimeters, the item must carry a health warning consistent with the warnings specified in this Act.

g. No merchandise such as, but not limited to, t-shirts, caps, sweatshirts, visors, backpacks, sunglasses, writing implements and umbrellas, may be distributed, sold or offered, directly or indirectly, with the name, logo or other indicia of a cigarette brand displayed so as to be visible to others when worn or used. Clothing items must be in adult sizes only.

h. No name, logo or other indicia of a cigarette brand or element of a brand related marketing activity, may appear on items that are marketed to or likely to be used by minors such as but not limited to sports equipment, toys, dolls, miniature replicas of racing vehicles, video games, and food. The manufacturer or company must take all available measures to prevent third parties from using the company's brand names. Logos or other proprietary material on products that are directed toward minors.

i. No tobacco advertisements may be placed on shopping bags.”

Unfortunately, tobacco companies seek new marketing strategies that would still get the attention of possible clients. Some merchandise that are posted on supermarkets, near the stores where it sells chocolates and children products, coffee shops or restaurant’s table umbrellas, smoking rooms and sari-sari store signages. Here is the statement of Bobby del Rosario, vice president and founding member of FCAP on new strategy of cigarette marketing.


In 2008, a cigarette company sponsored a band’s reunion concert where they gave tickets when they signed up on the cigarette’s website. The event was put on hold because the promotion is a violation of the tobacco regulation law. In the end, the organizer of the event was forced to look for a new source of fund for the concert, since the cigarette company withdrew its support. Right now, these companies are doing socio-related activities, in which, according to del Rosario, was the opposite of what their products is giving. The companies support activities by donating on campaigns which are contradicting with the health hazards its products could bring.

Recently, FCAP threatened to sue the mayor of Tanauan, Batangas, after naming one if the streets in its municipality, from Pantay Bata to a cigarette brand. Dr. Maricar Limpin, executive director of FCAP, says, putting the name of the cigarette brand doesn’t only violate Tobacco Regulation Act, but also very insensitive to the part of the mayor and its team to give honor to a cigarette company, which its products contribute to the death of ten Filipinos every day. FCAP sent a demand letter last February to the mayor and the city council. As of press time, FCAP is still waiting for the response from the said local government officials.

Related Article:

• Smoking is dangerous to your health and more to the minors
• More effective like Yosi Kadiri
  

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Smoking is dangerous to your health and more to the minors

February 12, Gateway Suite, Cubao, Quezon City, In line with the Mga Nagbabagang Kwento: Tobacco Control Media Project of Framework Convention of Tobacco Control Alliance – Philippines, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Probe Media Foundation Inc, there will be a three part discussion of the Tobacco Control topic on this blog. First topic will be about the danger of smoking and the current situation of smoking to minors.

Currently there are 5.4 million deaths every year because of cigarette related diseases and by 2030 there will be more that 8 million deaths yearly where 80% of the tobacco related deaths is from the developing countries. (WHO MPower, 2008). According to FCAP, in the Philippines there is 35% of the adult population who is smoking, 57 % were males and 12% were females, while 27% of the youth (18 below) population currently use tobacco products. Lastly there is 56% of the youth buy cigarettes in a store and 64% of them were not refused purchase because of their age. From here the first part of my Nagbabagang Kwento begins.

According to Dr. Maricar Limpin, FCAP’s Executive Director that there are 4, 000 chemicals releases every time a cigarette was lit. Among the chemicals are Arsenic, Ammonia, Formalin, Tar, Nicotine, Lead, Benzene and DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). These chemicals affect smokers to be addictive to smoking because of nicotine, worse it leads to health problem such as respiratory related diseases and cancer. Dr. Limpin emphasize that smoking brings no good, and the effect reaches up to third level.

Level 1 (First Hand Smoking): The smoker who directly induces the smoke and the chemicals inside his/her system and causes harm to his/her health

Level 2 (Second Hand Smoking): The person who inhales the smoke from the cigarettes, the effect is six times more poisonous than mainstream smoke and the vulnerable victims where children and women.

Level 3 (Third Hand Smoking): The chemicals from the smoke or residue that infuse in the skin of the direct smoker or second hand smoker once the skin of a 5 year old and below child rubbed to them it can be easy absorb and cause minor skin diseases or asthma. THS also happens if someone smokes in a room and the smokes impart on the furniture and the curtain.
Aside from the effect of smoking it is alarming that the number of minors of engaging to tobacco used increases and based from the data that FCAP presented that there are 27% of the youth population is smoking and it increases due to peer pressure, adult and media influence and laidback law implementation.

Watch the video of Dr. Limpin on the topic of minors buying cigarettes and third hand smoking:


Based on the Republic Act No. 9211 or Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 it says that:

Sec. 9. Minimum Age Sales. - Under this Act, It shall be unlawful:

a. For any retailer or tobacco products to sell or distribute tobacco products to any minor;

b. For any person to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products from a minor;

c. For a minor to sell or buy cigarettes or any tobacco products; and

d. For a minor to smoke cigarettes or any other tobacco products.

It shall not be a defense for the person selling or distributing that he/she did not know or was not aware of the real age of the minor. Neither shall it be a defense that he/she did not know nor had any reason to believe that the cigarette or any other tobacco product was for the consumption of the minor to whom it was sold.

Sec. 10. Sale of Tobacco Products Within School Perimeters. - The sale or distribution of tobacco products is prohibited within one hundred (100) meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented particularly by minors

Violation of the law that prohibits selling tobacco products to minors: On the first offense, any person or any business entity or establishment selling to, distributing or purchasing a cigarette or any other tobacco products for a minor shall be fined the amount of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000.00) or an imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, upon the discretion of the business licenses or permits in the case of a business entity or establishment.
With the current scenario that we see in the society on minors smoking and purchasing cigarettes shows that we have week implementation of the law that will prohibits minors to buy tobacco products. And alarming increase of tobacco related death shows that there is still on the campaign that “cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health” and I can’t blame them knowing that warning is only text based unlike other countries that they use image based warning showing the health effects of smoking unfortunately according to Dr. Limpin it takes time in congress to passed amendment on the or Tobacco Regulation Act.

We already see the reality maybe its time for us to decide and made our leaders work and do their job.

Related Article:

• Cigarette companies re-channel their marketing strategies
• More effective like Yosi Kadiri

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