DOH warns cigar firm from sponsoring Eraserheads concert

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday warned Philip Morris that it may face criminal charges if it pushes through with the sponsorship of the reunion concert of popular 90s band Eraserheads scheduled on August 30 in Manila. Health Undersecretary Alexander Padilla said Philip Morris will be violating Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 which prohibits cigar companies from sponsoring sports, cultural, and artistic events of individual or team athletes, artists and performers. "If we are able to show and prove that this concert is actually sponsored by you, by Philip Morris, then we will truly train our guns on you for clearly violating the law," Padilla said in a press conference. He said the tobacco company cannot argue that they did not violate the law since the contract has been signed before the prohibition on sponsorship of events took effect on July 1, 2008 as stated on Section 26 of RA 9211. "The company already knew when the prohibition would take effect so if they will try to circumvent that by saying 'we signed the contract before' that will not be acceptable," Padilla said. In a text message sent to GMANews.TV, Dave Gomez, Philip Morris public affairs manager, said they have no comment on the issue. Appeal to Eraserheads A lawyer by profession, Padilla said Philip Morris, its president, general manager and board of directors will be held liable if they will proceed with sponsoring the concert. He said the government, if it has to, could go to the retailers and confiscate the tobacco products. The Health department and tobacco control advocates also appealed to Eraserheads to reject the Philip Morris' sponsorship of its much awaited reunion concert. Padilla said the popular band, which disbanded in 2002, should disassociate themselves from a cigar company who will be sponsoring their concert. "With their prestige, they should disassociate themselves to tobacco products which have no value or use. They should heed the law and bring the youth to other productive activities. Tobacco products should not be promoted," Padilla said. "Considered one of the most influential bands in the country, the Eraserheads has become a role model of sorts for our young. I hope they will rise up to the challenge, do more than play music, and help young Filipinos reach their potential," said Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines. Limpin asked the Eraserheads to duplicate a recent act by singer Alicia Keys. The award-winning singer and pianist recently rejected the sponsorship of cigarette giant Philip Morris for her concert in Indonesia. Louis Camilleri, chairman and chief executive officer of Philip Morris, has confirmed in a letter to Matthew Myers of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids dated July 30, 2008 that their company is behind the reunion concert. Limpin said even if Philip Morris' name will not come out on any poster, billboard or material related to the Eraserheads concert, the public knows that to watch the concert, one has to be a member of the Marlboro red list. Treachery in marketing "This is marketing treachery at its worse. One has to be a smoker or must claim to be a smoker to be able to watch the smoker," Limpin said. She said in registering with the Marlboro red list, one is asked what brand of cigarette he smokes and is asked for contact information and accept the condition that he is interested to receive "smoking-related" information and promotional materials from Philip Morris. "You cannot complete the registration without checking that particular box stating you are interested in receiving information and promotional materials from Philip Morris. So in your attempt to watch the concert, you are opening yourself up as a target of Philip Morris advertisements," Limpin said. She said while it is too much to expect Philip Morris "to grow a conscience and think of the well-being of children in the third world country like the Philippines", the former member of the band might be more sympathetic as they may have children, niece and nephews who may suffer from effects of tobacco smoke. Limpin said Eraserheads former vocalist Ely Buendia knows the ill effects of smoking after suffering a heart problem in February 2007. The DOH said at least 10 Filipinos die every hour due to smoking-related diseases or 240 Filipinos everyday or 87,600 every year. "The Eraserheads should not allow themselves to be deceived by Philip Morris and protect their fans from this devious marketing ploy," Limpin said. She added that Eraserheads will not run out of sponsors for their reunion concert if they will turn down Philip Morris. "There are many companies who are more than willing to sponsor the concert but they do not want get involved in an activity wherein the company they are going to co-sponsor the event is a cigarette company," Limpin said. She also clarified that their group only wants to spoil the coming reunion concert. "I'm not telling the band not to push through with the concert, I want that to be cleared. In reality, we want the concert to push through but we are appealing to the band that maybe we should place more emphasis to the responsibility of the band. Maybe if they cannot get out of this anymore, I will challenge the band to play for anti-smoking event because all the other bands have been into a smoke-free event for the past few months since May," Limpin said. - GMANews.TV