Cancer survivor laments poor implementation of law vs. outdoor tobacco ads

Global restrictions on cigarette advertisements are not being strictly implemented in the Philippines, a former smoker turned anti-smoking advocate lamented Friday, World No Tobacco Day.

"Ang point of sale, bina-violate pa rin,” said Engr. Emer Rojas in an interview on GMA News TV's “News To Go.” “Dapat sa loob lang 'yung signage mo. Kung sa loob ng kahera pwede. Pero pag sa labas, hindi pwede."

A former radio announcer, Rojas lost his vocal chords to laryngeal cancer, which resulted from his years of smoking — a habit he said he learned at an early age.

These days, Rojas speaks with the help of a vibrating machine called electro-larynx, which makes his voice sound robotic.

"Nakakapanghinayang nga 'yun,” he said, recalling his old baritone voice. “Madalas ko ngang sabihin, kung alam ko lang na ganoon ang mangyayari, sana hindi na ako nanigarilyo."

The absence of a voice box, however, failed to stop Rojas from becoming a staunch anti-smoking advocate. He is the country's global cancer ambassador and also president of the tobacco control advocacy group New Vois Association of the Philippines.



As a crusader, Rojas urges tougher tobacco control measures starting with advertisements.

"Dapat isulong mga tobacco control mesaures, kagaya ng pagbabawal ng advertisements, promotions and sponsorships," he said in the “News To Go” interview.

He said 95 percent of throat cancer cases is due to smoking.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a ban on tobacco advertisements worldwide. It said 6 million people die of cigarette-related diseases every year.

While Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, does not prohibit outdoor signage, it poses restrictions on outdoor advertisements.

The law prohibits signage on billboards, wall murals, transport stops or stations within 100 meters from a school, playground or other places frequented by minors. It also prohibits tobacco advertisements on taxis, buses, trains and other public transportation and its stations.

Sponsorships and promotions by celebrities and directed toward minors are also not allowed in mass media, according to the law.

The act, meanwhile, allows tobacco promotion on so-called point-of-sale locations or adult-only facilities. The law also allows prescribed smoking areas.

Rojas said people may report violations to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of Health, and city health offices of local government units.

He also reiterated that smoking is not allowed in government offices, and that violators should be reported to the Civil Service Commission. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News