The young smokers
of the Philippines

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

If there is something that can further justify the imposition of the so-called sin taxes, it is the fact that it will lead to higher costs of tobacco and, naturally of its more accessible product, the cigaret.

This is because of the discovery, as proven by statistics, that Filipino youngsters are becoming more and more attracted to smoking, and that many of them start the habit as early as age 13, and continue it during their schooldays. Aside from the expense, and the waste of the money they get as allowance from their parents, the practice also exposes them to several kinds of ailments, foremost among them those that affect their lungs and their immune system.

Cigarets are very accessible to young people because our country has the lowest or the cheapest prices for them. That is one of the justifications for the measure, known as House Bill No. 5727, that is now pending in Congress. It suggests that, with prices of cigarets increased, they would become virtually inaccessible to young people, especially students who have limited allowances.

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But perhaps the Department of Education should do something so that schools will adopt programs that will discourage smoking among their students. One way of doing this is to emphasize the irreversible effects of smoking on their health, and even on those of people they can affect with what is called “second-hand” smoke.

The Global Youth Tobacco survey conducted in the Philippines has confirmed that more and more young people are becoming smokers. Another made by the National Youth Commission in 2011 showed that two out every five young people are already smoking. It also noted that, for the young smoker, there could be alarming effects on their health, such as the weakening of their immune system making them susceptible to diseases. Another threat is cancer, not only of the lungs, but also of other organs, like the bladder.

In view of all these, what could be delaying our congressmen from pushing through with HB 5727? Could the lobby against it be stronger than their concern for the health of their children?*