Tobacco companies are a ‘public health burden’ - medical associations

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Representatives from medical professional associations and public health experts on Monday called for stronger tobacco control measures as part of the country’s response to the novel coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Glynna Ong-Cabrera of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) said that smokers are more prone to developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. “This is a virus that primarily attacks the lungs. Stronger smoking cessation campaigns and stronger tobacco control measures should be part of the Philippines’ response to COVID-19,” said Dr. Ong-Cabrera who also heads Quitline, a smoking cessation program of the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the Lung Center of the Philippines.

321 deaths a day, PhP 269 billion pesos lost yearly

Meanwhile, Dr. Anton Javier of the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP) expressed concern over the burden of tobacco-related illnesses.

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were already on the way towards expensive and time-consuming health problems as a direct consequence of tobacco products,” declared Dr. Javier.

“Every day, 321 Filipinos are killed by tobacco-caused diseases. This is a tremendous burden to our public health system because even if we hypothetically had all the money in the world, you cannot possibly compensate for the efforts lost treating conditions that would have been avoidable had tobacco products been strictly regulated in the first place,” he said, citing reports from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Tobacco Atlas.

“Tobacco companies and their fronts are not our partners in public health,” added Dr. Riz Gonzalez of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS). “It is alarming that even with the pandemic, the tobacco industry continues to market their products aggressively, even online attracting our youth to regularly use tobacco products and all its forms,” she added. “They even go so far as to portray themselves as partners in public health through donations,” she also said.

Public interest law organization ImagineLaw said that socio-economic and productivity losses due to tobacco amount to at least 269 billion pesos every year, citing a 2018 study by the World Health Organization. “The tobacco industry is a public health burden,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, the law group’s Executive Director. “And they continue to be a burden in the middle of a global pandemic,” she added.

“Even as the tobacco industry paints itself as an ally in public health through donations and so-called corporate social responsibility (CSR), let’s not forget the simple and unassailable fact that they continue to sell and profit from a product that kills 50% of its users, and that exposes the public to worse COVID-19 outcomes,” she also said.

Strong tobacco control measures as part of COVID-19 response urged

The medical doctors urged the government to strengthen tobacco control measures, such as the DOH-Civil Service Commission Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-001 (DOH-CSC JMC 2010-001), and increase support for local government units (LGUs) and hospitals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Not only should we encourage the public to quit smoking. We also need to protect our government agencies, LGUs, and hospitals from the influence of tobacco companies and their fronts during this pandemic,” said Dr. Donnabel Panes, head of Baguio City Health Services Office Epidemiology Surveillance Unit.

The said memorandum prohibits government officials and employees from unnecessary interaction with tobacco companies and their representatives, including receiving donations or partnerships. “A strong public health system is our biggest weapon against present and future pandemics. Tobacco companies are never a partner of public health,” Dr. Panes said.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises announces captivating new 2023-2024 voyage collection

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

139 Sailings, 129 Overnight Stays, 15 Maiden Ports of Call and 4 Grand Voyages


Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled its new 2023-2024 Voyage Collection, featuring exciting new ports of call and immersive cultural experiences in iconic destinations throughout the globe, with reservations opening on 19 August, 2021.

Crafted to create memories and stories that last a lifetime, The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet™ will sail an incredible 139 new voyages, with itineraries across Africa and Arabia, Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and South America, as well as transoceanic crossings, and four mesmerising Grand Voyages to explore. Enjoying exquisite comfort and care onboard, with every imaginable luxury included, guests sailing with Regent on one of its exclusive Voyage Collection journeys will enjoy a truly unrivalled experience.

Sailings range from 7 nights up to the recently announced 132-night 2024 World Cruise and feature more than 129 overnight calls in unforgettable destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia; Kyoto, Japan; Singapore; Lisbon, Portugal; and Bordeaux, France. The 2023-2024 Voyage Collection also boasts 15 new ports of call, including Vanuatu’s Mystery Island, the majestic island of Syros in Greece, the captivating and untamed Lofoten Islands in Norway, and the charmingly colourful Puerto Banus in Spain.

Four inspiring Grand Voyages have been thoughtfully curated for the line’s most discerning guests: Grand Arctic Adventure, a 78-night sailing from New York to Barcelona; Grand European Sojourn, a 62-night journey from Stockholm, Sweden to Athens, Greece; Circle South America, a 67-night round trip commencing in Miami, Florida; and the Grand Asia-Pacific Journey, a breathtaking 59-night sailing from Sydney, Australia to Tokyo, Japan.

Discerning travellers can benefit from booking their preferred suite and itinerary early, with 50% Reduced Deposits available to guests sailing in Deluxe Window through Master Suites (Category MS-H), valid for bookings made by 30 September 2021. Regent Suite guests (Category RS), along with those sailing on a Grand Voyage or World Cruise, are not eligible for the 50% Reduced Deposit.

“We are delighted to release our very special Voyage Collection for 2023-2024, which has been meticulously crafted for our discerning guests, who we know have a passion for discovering the world in the ultimate luxury that Regent Seven Seas Cruises is renowned for. We hope that this new season of diverse and inspiring locales enables travellers to create memories and experiences that will last a lifetime,” said Jason Montague, President and Chief Executive Officer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“We recently launched our 2024 World Cruise, which was an opening-day record-breaker for the third year in a row, selling out within three hours of launching. This phenomenal result reinforces just how strong the pent-up demand for luxury travel is among our guests, especially for longer voyages, and we are confident that our new Voyage Collection will be well received too,” continued Montague.

Together with spacious all-suite, all-balcony accommodations and FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions in every port of call, voyage fares also include gourmet cuisine in a range of specialty restaurants and al-fresco dining venues, fine wine and spirits, entertainment, unlimited internet access, free valet laundry, pre-paid gratuities, transfer between hotel and ship and a one-night, pre-cruise hotel package for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher.

In addition, more than 25 voyages aboard Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator offer guests a FREE pre-or-post-cruise land programme, along with NEW 4-night land programmes on selected sailings.

A brochure and video showcasing Regent’s new 2023-2024 Voyage Collection have been created. For more information, please visit RSSC.com/new-season-launch, call Singapore 800-616-7097 / Hong Kong and Rest of Asia +852 2165 6020 or contact a professional travel advisor.

Junk vape bill, youth urge senators

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

“It’s anti-youth, anti-health, pro-industry,” declared youth leaders

Youth and student organizations on Monday urged Senators to junk a measure that relaxes regulations on the sale, manufacture, and marketing of vapes and e-cigarettes in the country.

Senate Bill No. 2239 or the Non-Combustible Delivery Systems Act, commonly-referred to as Vape Bill, is set to be deliberated as the Senate session resumes after a two-week pause due to the lockdown in Metro Manila.

“The Vape Bill will put young people’s health at risk as it weakens existing public health regulations, while prioritizing industries that profit from the harms brought by the manufacture and sale of vapes and e-cigarettes,” read the youth statement, signed by more than 20 youth organizations that include student councils, community-based youth groups, and medical student associations.

Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) National Secretary-General Nathalie Walker said that their organization opposes the measure because it will lower the minimum age of purchase of said products from 21 to 18 years old. “This is ‘two steps back’ from existing regulations set by current laws to protect public health,” Walker said. “We should instead strengthen regulations on age access to protect young people and public health, especially during this pandemic,” she added.

“The bill is also contrary to prevailing medical opinion that nicotine exposure at a young age impairs maximum development of the brain,” she also said, citing the medical opinion of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS).

Dr. Dexter Galban, Chief Executive Officer of youth-led digital health social enterprise Alaga Health, also said that the Vape Bill espouses the false narrative that vapes and e-cigarettes reduce the harm caused by smoking. “Vapes and e-cigarettes are neither effective harm reduction tools nor are helpful to smokers who want to quit,” he said. “Masked by flavors and scents, these products still cause harm to smokers because they keep them highly dependent on dangerous substances. Some smokers end up consuming both, leading to even more significant health threats. There are also thousands of harmful chemicals inside vapes and e-cigarettes that cause lung injury,” Galban added.

Public interest law organization ImagineLaw expressed alarm that the bill will roll back prohibitions against flavorings. “SBN 2239 removes the ban on all flavorings other than plain tobacco and menthol, allowing vape and e-cigarette makers to use and market flavorings to appeal to young people and children,” Atty. Sophia San Luis, the law group’s Executive Director, said.

“These flavorings do not only mask the harshness of nicotine to lure non-smokers, especially the youth, into a lifelong addiction; they also mask the harmful effects of vapes and e-cigarettes,” she added.



“We urge our lawmakers to uphold and protect Filipinos’ health by voting against Senate Bill No. 2239,” the youth groups asked the Senators. “Stricter regulations on the manufacture, sale, distribution, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of vaporized nicotine products to protect the youth and non-smokers from their harmful effects should instead be championed,” their statement urged.