'Inaction' On Smoking Violations Questioned

A senator has scored the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-T) for its dismal performance in ensuring that the law regulating smoking in the country is strictly enforced.

Sen. Pilar “Pia” Cayetano said the lead agency of the IAC-T, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the Department of Health and the Philippine Tobacco Institute, the organization representing tobacco companies, has so far reported only one violation or case filed for the period of January to September 2011.

For the past two years, the IAC-T has also only conducted four meetings, two for each year discussing the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction over tobacco products; the country’s representation to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) negotiations on Articles 9 and 10; and clarification whether the DTI is the lead agency on the guidelines on Articles 9 and 10 of the FCTC.

Yet the number of people violating Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 is increasing despite campaigns being done by the government.

“I believe there are more provisions of the law that are being violated out there. Is the slow action of the IAC-T because it has not received any reports of violations? Or is it because the IAC-T failed to conduct aggressive information campaigns as to the availability of their hotlines? Or is it simply because they refuse to act on such reports of violations?” said Cayetano, who chairs the Senate committee on health and demography.

“I reiterate my strict directive for the IAC-T to do its job and act on these reports of violations. I task them to convene a meeting immediately and take up reported violations and act upon them,” Cayetano said.

As part of their mandate under the Local Government Code, Cayetano said local government units (LGU) likewise, should see to it that establishments and malls within their jurisdiction are strictly enforcing Section 6 of the law which provides a designated area for smokers.

“May I point out that among the penalties for violations of the law is the cancellation of their business permit,” she said.

She urged the Senate to exercise its oversight function in ensuring that the provisions of the law are strictly being implemented.

“I trust that we will show the Filipinos that the law is equally applied, that none of us is above the law. I trust that the Senate will take the necessary corrective measures to ensure that we strictly complied with the law that we have enacted,” she said.