By Ben Rosario
The chairperson of the House Committee on Health is pressing for the passage of a measure that would prohibit the access of children to alcohol, saying that studies have indicated that alcoholic substances are more dangerous to individuals than heroin or crack.
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Quezon Rep. Angelina D.L. Tan, M.D., filed House Bill 2453 proposing a fine of P10,000 or imprisonment of not more than three months for persons found guilty of selling or allowing minors below 18 years old to take alcoholic drink and beverages.
On the other hand, a minor found purchasing or obtaining alcoholic drinks will be required to attend two consecutive sessions of barangay council seminars for the first and second offenses. Parents or guardians of the minor are also required to attend the seminar.
For three or more violations committed, the minor will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare Development Office for counseling and proper disposition of the issue.
Misrepresenting one’s age by presenting false identification is also considered a violation of the measure.
Tan said her bill finds bases from various international scientific researches that warn against the deleterious effects of alcohol consumption on children.
She said the Agence France Presse has recently reported that the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs of the United Kingdom has declared than “alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack when the overall dangers to the individual and society are considered.”
The United States Department of Health and Services has also released a paper that people consuming alcohol face death and injury for alcohol consumption at a young age.
“It also indicated that underage alcohol use increases the risk of carrying out, or being a victim of physical or sexual assault,” Tan said, citing the USDHHS study.
Alcohol also increases the risk of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV-AIDS, among youngsters.
“In the Philippines, a study of the World Health Organization reveals that two out of 10 Filipinos ages 15 to 18 years of age drink alcohol and six out of ten are not content with two bottles of alcohol,” lamented Tan/
She said the WHO Youth Violence and Alcohol Fact Sheet indicates that 14 percent of 15-24 years old reported physically hurting someone due to drinking.
“It was also discovered that many Filipinos are binge drinkers which result in domestic violence, rape, and physical abuse,” Tan stressed.
The Quezon lawmaker stated: “Hence, it is imperative for the State to initiate proactive policies to curb alcohol consumption by children and teens consistent with the Constitution’s mandate to “protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.’”
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Quezon Rep. Angelina D.L. Tan, M.D., filed House Bill 2453 proposing a fine of P10,000 or imprisonment of not more than three months for persons found guilty of selling or allowing minors below 18 years old to take alcoholic drink and beverages.
On the other hand, a minor found purchasing or obtaining alcoholic drinks will be required to attend two consecutive sessions of barangay council seminars for the first and second offenses. Parents or guardians of the minor are also required to attend the seminar.
For three or more violations committed, the minor will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare Development Office for counseling and proper disposition of the issue.
Misrepresenting one’s age by presenting false identification is also considered a violation of the measure.
Tan said her bill finds bases from various international scientific researches that warn against the deleterious effects of alcohol consumption on children.
She said the Agence France Presse has recently reported that the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs of the United Kingdom has declared than “alcohol is more harmful than heroin or crack when the overall dangers to the individual and society are considered.”
The United States Department of Health and Services has also released a paper that people consuming alcohol face death and injury for alcohol consumption at a young age.
“It also indicated that underage alcohol use increases the risk of carrying out, or being a victim of physical or sexual assault,” Tan said, citing the USDHHS study.
Alcohol also increases the risk of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV-AIDS, among youngsters.
“In the Philippines, a study of the World Health Organization reveals that two out of 10 Filipinos ages 15 to 18 years of age drink alcohol and six out of ten are not content with two bottles of alcohol,” lamented Tan/
She said the WHO Youth Violence and Alcohol Fact Sheet indicates that 14 percent of 15-24 years old reported physically hurting someone due to drinking.
“It was also discovered that many Filipinos are binge drinkers which result in domestic violence, rape, and physical abuse,” Tan stressed.
The Quezon lawmaker stated: “Hence, it is imperative for the State to initiate proactive policies to curb alcohol consumption by children and teens consistent with the Constitution’s mandate to “protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.’”