The New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) is hoping that a nationwide comprehensive smoking ban will be among the first orders of the newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte, according to a story in the Business Mirror relayed by the TMA.
NVAP sees such a ban being modelled on the existing policies in force in Davao City, where Duterte was mayor.
Prior to his election and during the campaign period, Duterte vowed to implement a nationwide smoking ban once in office.
“The President certainly needs to look no further than the model he put in place in Davao City in prohibiting smoking, as it has already been recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective smoke-free policy,” said NVAP president Emer Rojas.
Rojas added that the ban would help the country achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3, which calls for the ensuring of healthy lives and the promotion of well-being for all.
At present in the Philippines, an estimated 10 people die every hour from smoking-related diseases.