The Philippines has been taking leaps in the implementation of World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) through strengthening surveillance systems, fostering collaboration, heightening advocacy campaigns and harnessing support for legislative reform. This international health treaty, entered into force in the Philippines in 2005, is formulated under the auspices of World Health Assembly in order to reverse the effects of tobacco use epidemic.
Amidst this progress, however, the country still faces challenges in the proper creation and implementation of tobacco control measures. Usually referred to as tobacco industry interference, tobacco industry ploys activities intended to influence tobacco control laws. These activities are detrimental to public health—and the very people that the government works to protect.
It is for this reason that the Department of Health-Bureau of International Health Cooperation (BIHC) published a Public Service Announcement (PSA) relative to the implementation of the Civil Service Commission-Department of Health Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2010-01: Protection of the Bureaucracy against Tobacco Industry Interference. Carrying the message, NO DEAL WITH TOBACCO INDUSTRY, the PSA aimed to raise awareness regarding the provisions of the JMC among public servants and the public as part of the DOH efforts in engaging the public in the advocacy for a tobacco free Philippines.
Published in the last quarter of CY 2019, the PSA highlights the obligation of the government to protect tobacco control for the public through the prohibition of the following acts under the JMC:
- Unnecessary interaction with the tobacco industry
- Preferential treatment to the tobacco industry
- Accepting gifts, donations and sponsorship
- Financial interest in the tobacco industry
- Accepting other favors analogous to those that are already mentioned
- Conflict of interest with the tobacco industry
- Engaging in an occupational activity with the tobacco industry
While it is the first ever newspaper publication done by the DOH-BIHC, the bureau will continue executing such effort in order to build a well informed and vigilant public. This is in line with the DOH-BIHC belief on the critical role of the public in continuously pressing for government excellence and accountability in delivering health for all.
