Tobacco firms accused of dragging feet on warnings

Tobacco companies are being accused of delaying the implementation of a law requiring that graphic health warnings are included on cigarette packs sold in the Philippines, according to a story in the Sun Star.

The anti-smoking group, New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP), said it had been receiving reports that the tobacco industry was trying to delay implementation of the law from November 5 to March next year.

NVAP president Emer Rojas said the industry’s efforts were being made through the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-T), where the tobacco industry had representation.

The new law would require that graphic health warnings cover the bottom half of cigarette packs.