Big, Bad Tobacco

Source from:  manilatimes.net By Geronimo L. Sy August 28, 2008 08/28/2008

Finally, Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 is fully in effect. All forms of tobacco advertising in mass media are now prohibited. Did you notice? With the increasing awareness and evidence of the harmful effects of smoking and the snowballing anti-smoking movement globally, it is time we cut big tobacco to size. But first, on human stupidity. We know smoking is bad for the health. We know shabu is bad for the health. Why is cigarette allowed while shabu is criminalized? It is not a matter of degree of addiction or the price or the social acceptability. If it is bad for people, it ought to be stopped. Sounds simple enough until big tobacco comes in with its lobby and a host of workers with families dependent on the tobacco industry. The solution is to paste government warnings on smoking labels that "smoking is hazardous to your health," "tobacco can harm your children," "smoking kills," and "cigarettes are addictive." The signs point to a consensus that smoking is harmful and yet we work out a compromise and allow the continued sale of cigarettes provided they warn users of the consequences. It's human stupidity or its capacity for self-deception. Either it is injurious or it is not. If it is, banish it from the commercial landscape. From my circle of friends who smoke, I don't think any or all of these warnings matter. The next argument is "Hey, we warned you about it. It is your choice. You have free will." The same is true for drugs, drunk driving and death-defying stunts. The issue is not the freedom to choose; it is about public good. It is a fallacy to think that since it is our body, our life and our choice, we can do whatever we want. When our families and relationships are affected and the social and moral order breaks down, then we must step in to prevent and act. Smoking is addictive. It is designed to hook. We see the countless smokers who perpetually try to quit but can't. They seem so helpless at the same time so determined: conflicted in their desire and wants for a smoke and the knowledge that they should not, given the coughing and the wheezing. It is a pitiful situation and a scheming one for big tobacco. Give a child a basket of goodies and he will devour it even if it is laced with poison. The test of sincerity of big tobacco remains the golden rule: do their officers smoke? Do they allow their children to smoke? While we are at it, why don't we ask why people smoke at all. If there are real benefits or positive effects, then let's range it against the negative and destructive ones. Otherwise, the conclusion is the same-why have smoking in the land. Back to the law, smoking is absolutely prohibited in places for persons under 18 years old, elevators and stairwells, locations with fire hazards, medical pre­mises of any kind, public conveyance and public facilities and food preparation areas. In enclosed places that are open to the general public or private workplaces where smoking may expose a person other than the smoker to tobacco smoke, the owner or manager is to establish smoking areas in an open space or separate area with ventilation but not be located within the same room that is the non-smoking area. This section is often ignored and not fully implemented. If at all, it is a cursory or arbitrary designation of smoking versus non-smoking areas with smoke floating across, in and out. Some supervisors especially in the City of Taguig claim that it is applicable only in Makati with its strict anti-smoking ordinance. This is erroneous. The law applies everywhere and city ordinances can only impose additional measures or sanctions not lessen it. The first offense for owners and managers is a fine of P500 to P1,000, the second offense, P1,000 to P5,000 and on third offense, P5,000 to P10,000 and the business permits and licenses to operate cancelled or revoked. Let's see how big tobacco reacts and how our health holds up. Enditem 18. More Money From Tobacco Fund newson6.com OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Aug 27, 2008 A state board has certified $15.5 million for use in Oklahoma tobacco cessation programs. The tobacco endowment earnings were certified Tuesday by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund Board of Investors. The board certifies dividends and interest earned after investment fees are paid. State Treasurer Scott Meacham says the certification represents a 50 % increase over funds certified last year from Oklahoma's share of the nationwide settlement with big tobacco companies. Since Meacham took office in 2005, earnings from the tobacco settlement endowment have more than tripled. The money is used for tobacco cessation programs designed to improve the health of Oklahomans. The endowment currently contains more than $422 million. More than $45 million in earnings has been generated by the board. Enditem