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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Why succumb to the lobby of tobacco industry?': Senators fume over Philippines' inclusion in 'Dirty Ashtray' award

'Why succumb to the lobby of tobacco industry?': Senators fume over Philippines' inclusion in 'Dirty Ashtray' award

Published Feb 21, 2024 08:07 am

Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday, February 21 said she is disappointed that the Philippine delegation that participated in the 10th session of the Conference of Parties (COP 10) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is supporting the tobacco industry. 

 

Cayetano raised her concerns during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s inquiry into the “Dirty Ashtray Award” bestowed to the Philippines by the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control for the fifth time. Cayetano is now the new chairperson of the panel.

 

The Dirty Ashtray Award is a well known, publicly recognized award to call out those influenced by lobbying for the tobacco industry, and the criteria to earn this award is when public officials succumb to, or when the government accepts, supports, or endorses policies or legislation in collaboration with the tobacco industry, according to Cayetano.

 

“Bakit tayo nagkaroon ng (Why did we have the) Dirty Ashtray award? Why would we want our Philippine delegation associated with a Dirty Ashtray award? Why would we want to be known as succumbing to the lobby of the tobacco group?” Cayetano said during the blue ribbon inquiry. 

 

Instead of fighting for the health of Filipino citizens, many of these officials, Cayetano noted lobbied for the advocacies of the tobacco companies. 

 

At this, Cayetano said she hoped that the Department of Health (DOH) would look into the issue since it is part of their mandate. 

 

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also lamented this development as it undermines the government’s continuous efforts to advance the health of all Filipinos. 

 

“We are saddened and alarmed when we heard this…Why did this happen and why did our health officials allowed this to happen?” said Villanueva, in a statement read by Cayetano. 

 

“We need to get to the bottom of this because we do not want to harm the country’s reputation with regards to strengthening health regulations, including tobacco control,” he pointed out.

 

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also expressed alarm over this development, noting that  the government is supposed to level up its regulation on tobacco, e-cigarettes and vapes.

 

“It’s very alarming; kids, young men and women are already on vapes. That’s why I am here, we want to make sure this will be regulated. Nagtataka bakit napunta sa DTI (We are also puzzled why the regulation was given to the Department of Trade and Industry),” Ejercito said.

 

Related Tags

jv ejercito tobacco control policies joel villanueva pia cayetano dirty ashtray award
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