Anti-smoking advocates hail roll out of graphic warning labels

Tobacco control advocates on Thursday welcomed the release into the market of cigarette packs with graphic images showing the ill-effects of smoking in compliance with a law requiring cigar and cigarette manufacturers to include such warning on labels and packaging.

In a statement, New Vois Association of the Philippines president Emer Rojas said the implementation of Republic Act 10643 or the Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) Law will help lower deaths attributed to smoking.

"Pictures on packs are the most effective means of showing the harm brought about by tobacco abuse causing premature death and diseases including cancer," said Rojas, a stage 4 laryngeal cancer survivor who now speaks through the help of an electronic vibration machine attached to his neck.

Smoking-related diseases kill an estimated 87,600 Filipinos each year, resulting in an estimated P218 to P416 billion in annual health care expenses and productivity losses, according to the Department of Health.

"Graphic health warnings will help lower this statistic by encouraging smokers to quit, and at the same time discouraging non-smokers, especially the youth, from being hooked by this lethal addiction,” said Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance, Philippines (FCAP) executive director Dr. Maria Encarnita Limpin.

Health advocates also asked the public to be vigilant and watch out for any attempt the tobacco industry may make to circumvent the law.

The release of picture warnings comes one year after the DOH issued the templates to be printed on cigarette packs.

The templates comprise of realistic depictions of the ill effects of smoking such as mouth and neck cancer, stroke, and impotence.

The law provides an additional eight-month period for tobacco firms and retailers to exhaust old stocks that do not comply with the law, which was signed by President Benigno Aquino III in July 2014.

By November 2016, all tobacco product packages sold and distributed in the country must have the prescribed graphic health warnings.   — APG, GMA News