By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANDALUYONG CITY — Through choice and not restriction, 18,000 Filipinos and counting are calling for a smoke-free Philippines.
The call was made during the Harm Reduction & Nicotine Summit with the theme: “Fostering Informed Dialogue on Tobacco Harm Reduction” here at the EDSA Shangri-La.
The event was organized by seven convenors namely the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCIP), SINAG, among others.
Anton Israel, of NCUP, acknowledged the convenors, their advocacy, and achievements.
Israel noted that 170,000 Filipinos lost their lives on smoking yearly, deprives livelihood opportunities, and affects the lives of millions of others.
He cited the successful smoking habit in Sweden and vape smoking in other countries.
“The numbers do not lie that’s why we are here to put back Science,” Israel said.
Dr. Rogelio “Jong” F. Varela, Jr., Chair of Department of Surgery of Healthway Qualmed Hospital, presented the concept of harm reduction.
Dr. Varela had diabetes but he was drinking Coke and later on he was taking other soda such that when he drank Coke again, it tasted not the same it used to be.
He stressed that when he told his patients that smoking causes infertility and erectal dysfunction, they started to become interested.
“We have to teach them that this causes infertility and erectal dysfunction,” Dr. Varela said.
Sweden achieved less than 5% or 4.5% daily cigarette smoking, which is Europe’s definition of smoke-free.
By 2025, Sweden is smoke-free due to 4.5% daily cigarette smoking.
The prevalence of smoking in the Philippines is such that there are 14 million smokers,
“We have to be tobacco-free and quit smoking. If we see patients smoking, tell them to stop smoking if we can’t educate them,” Dr. Varela said.
“We have reached the peak of the policy. We have to reach out to the people and educate them. We really have to extend efforts to help these patients,” he added.
Dr. Rohan Andrade de Sequeira, cardio-endocrinologist and Founder of Society of Medical Harm Reduced Advocates (SOMHRA), said that in India, there are 1.35 million annual deaths, 267 million total tobacco users for a country with 1.4 billion population.
Dr. Sequeira added that 8.5% of the youth are using oral tobacco.
He cited 38% of deaths due to cardiovascular disease such as Ischaemic heart disease, stroke and cererovascular disease.
“In 2023, we have 168,000 annual new cases of oral cancer,” Dr. Sequeira said.
“The Philippines is now pioneering in harm reduction, I think,” he added.
Dr. Sequeira stressed that nicotine by itself is not cancer-causing.
The Science is clear: Nicotine is not a carcinogen.
“The misinformation that smoking causes cancer should be corrected. It’s the byproducts that cause cancer,” Dr. Sequeira said.
On infertility to women caused by smoking, Dr. Sequeira said “Insulin does not reach the placenta.”
A manifesto for smoke-free Philippines through choice not restriction was signed and presented to the media, which already has 18,000 signatures and counting.
“Adult smokers have the right to choose. No to illicit vapes and products. We support the Vape Law. Support RA 11900 Vape Law. Embrace harm reduction,” they said. ###
