Survey: 27 of 100 smokers in Baguio

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Health Services Office (HSO) disclosed that 27 out of every 100 persons in Baguio who are 15 years old and above are into smoking cigarettes.

City HSO epidemiology and surveillance unit head Dr. Donnabel Tubera told a media forum last week based on result of their May survey,  27.2 percent of people in Baguio  who are 15 years old and above are smokers.

The figure is slightly lower than the national rate of 28.3 percent.

There are more male  smokers at 42.5 %t  which is  lower compared to the 47.7 percent national average.

Meanwhile, 12.2%  or around 12 out of 100 hundred females in Baguio (under the same age bracket) are smokers  which is higher than the national average of 9%.

Tubera said nicotine addiction remains a concern and the continuing violation of tobacco regulation law , such as the Republic Act 9211, particularly on ban of tobacco advertisement, promotions and sponsorship.

“All forms of advertising should have been out of the mass media since July 1, 1988, as well as posting of all kinds of advertisement and promotion outside the point-of-sale retail establishments”, she  added.

Tubera also disclosed  that locally, they will lobby for  the newly elected city council members to include the ban of tobacco advertisement, promotions and sponsorship in the Comprehensive Anti-smoking Ordinance of the city, which was not mentioned in the present version of the ordinance.

She also cited need for ordinance to push for stricter implementation of the ban on selling of cigarettes within 100 meters of school perimeter to  protect the minors, especially school children, on harmful effects of cigarettes.

Tubera said tobacco kills around 87,600 Filipinos every year, which is equivalent to 240 Filipinos a day or 10 deaths for every hour, adding that  such data also translates to P44.6 billion in health care cost and around P270 billion in lost productivity.