DOH-CAR endorses higher tobacco taxes

Tobacco farmers. ShutterStock image

BAGUIO CITY -– The Department of Health – Cordillera (DOH-Cor) is endorsing the imposition of higher taxes on tobacco to further promote health care.

In an interview Saturday, Teresita Forman-eg, Regional Tobacco Coordinator of the Local Health Support Division, observed that tobacco consumption decreased following the implementation of sin taxes in the country.

It is in this line that the World Health Organization (WHO) and the DOH – Cor will launch the ‘World No To Tobacco Day’ on May 31.

Forman-eg said the goal of the World No Tobacco Day is to promote a smoke-free day which may be a precedent to quit smoking.

Forman-eg lauded the local government unit of Baguio City for the implementation of the Anti-smoking Ordinance which was considered for the nomination of the city to the Red Orchid Awards.

The Red Orchid Awards, she said, is an effort of the health department to strengthen the implementation of the anti-smoking ordinances in the Cordilleras.

Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death, she added.

Statistics shows that tobacco causes fatality to about six million people annually and about 600,000 are second hand smokers or non-smokers who inhale cigarette smoke from others.