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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Tobacco control advocates cite Herbosa

Tobacco control advocates cite Herbosa

Published Dec 20, 2023 10:55 am

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has been urged to sustain tobacco control efforts in the country.

Tobacco control advocates have expressed confidence that Herbosa will boost programs meant to curb smoking and e-cigarette use in the country.

HealthJustice Philippines, Parents Against Vape (PAV), Action for Economic Reforms (AER), and the Philippine Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) said in a statement that they are confident that Herbosa will continue to support strong tobacco control efforts, including increased funding for tobacco prevention and stronger regulation of e-cigarette use.

According to them, doing so would help reduce cases of tobacco-related diseases.

“We have great confidence in Secretary Ted Herbosa’s leadership to address pressing issues of DOH, and the health sector, including the tobacco epidemic in the Philippines, to achieve a healthy country,” they said.

They recalled that Herbosa, during his stint as DOH Undersecretary during the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, was very active as a proponent of six tax measures on tobacco products.

Approving the sin tax bill will lead to an increase in the prices of tobacco, which will discourage the youth from smoking and reduce cigarette consumption among established smokers, Herbosa said in 2012 during the campaign to increase tobacco tax.

“He is a champion of universal health care, health taxes, the welfare of health workers, the use of health technology assessment and the use of digitalization, the access to cheap essential medicines, the promotion of alcohol and tobacco control, and the attention to road safety,” AER said in the statement.

“We especially recognize his contribution to the passage of a series of sin taxes, resulting in higher revenues for government, higher budget for health programs particularly universal healthcare, and significant reduction specifically of smoking prevalence.”

This city is the capital of Ilocos Sur, one of the major tobacco-growing provinces in the country. 
 

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