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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH pushes for strengthened smoking ban in prisons

DOH pushes for strengthened smoking ban in prisons

Published Jul 15, 2024 09:51 am

By Sonny Daanoy

 

With upper respiratory tract infections and hypertension as leading diseases among prisoners, the Department of Health (DOH) called on Monday, July 15, for heightened enforcement of the smoking ban in jails.

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Photo from Pixabay

"I think we should ban smoking in our jails because the top diseases are hypertension and chronic obstructive lung disease," DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said during the ceremonial signing of the National Policy on Promotion and Protection of Health in Jails, Prisons, Custodial Facilities, and Other Places of Detention held at The Manila Hotel.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/12/gov-t-agencies-ink-nat-l-policy-on-health-promotion-protection-in-detention-facilities 

Herbosa also cited a report from DOH-Health Promotion Bureau Director Lorra Angelia Sayson, which showed that upper respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tonsillopharyngitis, sinusitis, coughs, colds, and influenza (ranked first), as well as hypertension (ranked second) and severe toothaches (ranked third) are the leading diseases among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). This data was sourced from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Several studies indicate a link between cigarette smoking and most of the diseases affecting PDLs.

"Obviously, smoking privileges have to be monitored among our PDLs, and maybe that's something we should actively promote," Herbosa added.

Meanwhile, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo noted during the press conference at the event that BJMP had already banned cigarettes in detention facilities.

He emphasized that "everyone benefits" from the smoking ban.

Domingo further explained that a ban on smoking and vaping in places of detention benefits not only PDLs but also their visitors, particularly pregnant women and their unborn children.

RELATED STORY:

https://mb.com.ph/2020/01/02/tobacco-products-are-banned-in-city-jails-bjmp/ 

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