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For IMMEDIATE release
FCAP PRESS RELEASE
Manila, Philippines
April 26, 2005
Landmark
Health Treaty on Tobacco Ratified by Philippine Senate
FCAP hails unanimous approval, urges vigilance
The Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is an international law, negotiated under the
auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) that came into force last
February 27, 2005.
The Philippine government signed the FCTC on September 23, 2003. Yesterday,
by a unanimous vote of all 19 senators present, the FCTC was ratified
by the Philippine Senate. Despite the absence due to illness of Sen. Miriam
Santiago, chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senate
Resolution 195 was adopted by all the senators, including Sen. Juan
Enrile, who delivered a concurrence speech on the floor. Other absent
senators were Richard Gordon and Sergio Osmeņa III.
By ratifying the FCTC, the Philippines has taken a major step forward
in the worldwide battle against the death and disease caused by tobacco,
the second leading cause of death globally and the only legal product
that causes the death of half of its regular users. The biggest beneficiaries
of the FCTC are the many low-income and developing countries from Africa,
Latin America, and the Asia-pacific, such as the Philippines, who form
the bulk of the nations who have ratified the treaty.
This groundbreaking, legally binding treaty provides countries with basic
tools to protect the health of their citizens from the tobacco industry's
deceptions and slick marketing. Becoming a Party to the WHO FCTC, the
Philippines is required to formulate and implement national laws and regulations
containing policies proven to reduce smoking and save lives, such as a
comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and
large, graphic health warning labels that cover at least 30 percent of
cigarette packs. The treaty also provides a roadmap for enacting strong,
science-based policies in other areas, including protection from secondhand
smoke, increased tobacco taxation, and measures to combat cigarette smuggling.
The WHO estimates that approximately five million people die each year
from tobacco use. If current trends continue, this figure will reach 10
million per year by 2030, with 70 percent of those deaths occurring in
developing countries. While the measures in the FCTC represent a minimum
set of tobacco control policies, the treaty explicitly encourages countries
to go above and beyond these measures.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance, Philippines (FCAP)
applauds our distinguished senators for ratifying this important treaty,
prevailing against the lobby of tobacco companies, who have sought to
derail and dilute it. FCAP also congratulates the Department of Health
for its continuing work in tobacco control, particularly Usec. Alexander
Padilla for his sterling leadership of the Philippine delegation during
the arduous FCTC negotiations.
"Ratification is only the beginning," says FCAP president, Dr. Maricar
Blanco-Limpin, "We must remain vigilant to ensure that proper implementation
of this treaty takes place. This is critical to protecting our citizens
and our country from the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco.
Strong action on the part of the Philippine government will give us the
opportunity to reduce the human suffering caused by tobacco and curb runaway
costs of tobacco-related health care. Weak interpretation and poor implementation
of the FCTC's provisions will not promote public health or save lives.
We should aim for tight, maximum protection for the public rather than
settle for the bare minimum."
FCAP urges our government leaders to implement the full range of measures
which will make tobacco use less and less attractive to our people. This
can result in millions of lives saved, and that is where the real success
of the FCTC resides.
Also:
See Sen. Miriam Santigao's sponsorship
speech
See FCAP letter to senators
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