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HEALTH
advocates are urging authorities to implement a total
ban on cigarette advertisements and sponsorships as a
provision on the country’s tobacco law takes effect
today (Tuesday).
Dr.
Maricar Limpin, president of the Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control-Alliance Philippines (FCAP), said
Section 22 of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003
mandates a total ban on all cigarette ads in trimedia
starting July 1.
Limpin
said the total ban takes effect except in those placed
inside the premises of “point-of-sale establishments.”
“We
have sent a letter to the interagency committee,
reminding them to notify concerned sectors about this
ban. Starting today, tobacco ads can no longer be
published in any newspaper and the like,” Limpin said.
Republic Act 9211 also prohibits tobacco firms from
“sponsoring any sport, concert, cultural art or event,
as well as individual and team athletes, artists or
performers where such sponsorship shall require or
involve the advertisement or promotion of any cigarette
or tobacco company.”
Limpin
said her group has been monitoring violators including
those pertaining to outdoor advertising that were
referred to the health department.
She
noted the rampant violation in some areas where
cigarette ads are still being displayed in unauthorized
places, like in some sari-sari stores.
Violators of the ad and sponsorship ban shall pay a fine
of P100,000 or one-year imprisonment for the first
offense.
The
monetary and imprisonment fines get doubled during the
second offense. A third offense increases the fine to
P400,000 and a jail term of not more than two years.
Officials of firms found violating the law shall be held
liable while the permit to operate of companies shall be
revoked, according to RA 9211. |
