DOH head advocates 100% smoke-free workplaces

MANILA, Feb. 6 (PNA) – Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Esperanza Cabral has reminded government employees and the general public transacting business with government that smoking is prohibited in government buildings, grounds and premises.

In a statement in the DOH website (www.doh.gov.ph), Cabral said places providing services relating to health and youth activity such as hospitals, health centers, schools, universities and colleges, should be smoke-free and “smoking areas” are not allowed.

The statement also said except for places where smoking is absolutely prohibited, smoking is allowed only in designated and marked outdoor smoking areas that are located in an open-space with no permanent or temporary roof or walls and 10 meters away from entrances, exits or any place where people pass or congregate. Smoking Area signages must also be highly visible and prominently displayed.

Cabral said these provisions are stipulated under Civil Service Commission’s Memorandum Circular No. 17, series of 2009. Any complaints filed by co-workers or the public will be investigated and violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

The policy is designed to promote safe and healthy workplaces and to protect government workers from secondhand smoke, which can cause life-threatening diseases. Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from the tip of a burning cigarette, pipe or cigar and when a smoker exhales.

Conclusive scientific evidence confirms that workers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 35-50 percent increased risk of heart disease. Constant exposure to secondhand smoke nearly doubles the risk of a heart attack. Moreover, workers exposed to secondhand smoke at work have a 25% elevated risk of lung cancer.

The effects of secondhand smoke on lung function are similar to smoking a few sticks a day. It can cause emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma attacks.

Cabral said that seven out of every 10 smokers want to quit smoking, and smoke-free policies can help smokers quit successfully by reducing environmental triggers and not allowing smoking to be the norm.

According to the Social Weather Station Survey of Filipinos on Smoking, commissioned by the Department of Health’s “Bloomberg Initiative-Philippines OC-400 Project,” which was done in the last quarter of 2009, about 27 percent of Filipinos are current smokers. The proportion of smokers is similar in Luzon and Visayas, but slightly higher in Mindanao (30 percent). The percentage of smokers in rural areas is pegged at 28 percent while in urban areas it is 27 percent.

By income class, more smokers are found in the Class E at 31 percent followed by Class D at 26 percent and Class ABC with only 21 percent. By sex, 46 percent of males and eight percent of females smoke. By age, 30 percent of smokers belong to the 35 to 44 years old age bracket. This is followed by 18 to 24 years old where 26 percent smoke, and by age 55 years or older, it is down to 22 percent. By educational attainment, only 20 percent of those who completed college education smoke, while up to 32 percent of those with no formal education smoke.

The SWS Study also revealed that only 57 percent of Filipinos said that they have never smoked before. The average consumption is similar across all areas at 11 sticks per day.

The majority of the respondents are aware of tobacco regulation laws in the country and that 74 percent of Filipinos recognize the health benefit from laws enforcing smoke-free areas. Opposition to secondhand smoke is pegged at 93 percent nationwide, strongest in Visayas (95 percent) and Luzon (92 percent) and weakest in Mindanao (91 percent).

Cabral noted that the campaign of government and anti-tobacco advocates on 100 percent smoke-free environments is gaining momentum as many Filipinos are against exposure to secondhand smoke.

“Speak up, non-smokers! Let smokers around you know that you mind,” Cabral said. (PNA)
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