Philippines: Graphic Warning Law Too Lenient on Tobacco Firms – Anti-smoking  Group

Source from:  GMA News  08/28/2014

Health advocates are thinking of asking Congress to amend the Graphic Health Warning law (R.A. 10643) to shorten the grace period given to tobacco companies in putting picture-based warnings on cigarette packs.
 
In a statement on Wednesday, advocates said the 20-month grace period for tobacco firms is too long compared to those of other countries with similar policies.
 
The law, signed in July, gave companies 12 months to print out new packs, which should have pictures that show the ill effects of smoking. The labels should be on the portion of the front and back panels of the pack.
 
Upon their request, the tobacco companies were also given an additional eight months to clear out stocks, advocates said.
 
"Legislators should be aware [of] how life-saving this law is for young Filipinos. With 10 Filipinos dying from smoking-related diseases every hour, this law should be implemented at the soonest time," said Emer Rojas, president of the New Vois Association of the Philippines, an advocacy group "composed mainly" of throat cancer victims or those who speak through alternative means after having lost their vocal cords.
 
Rojas said it was not good that "tobacco companies demanded 600 days and got what they wanted" when firms in Thailand were given only 90 days to comply with a similar law.
 
While calling the law a "monumental victory" for the anti-tobacco community, Rojas added that the long grace period defeats the purpose of the law, which hopes to curb smoking, especially among young Filipinos. Enditem