To quit or not to quit

I only knew now that there’s a law prohibiting smoking in government in government premises. Thanks, Ding.

by Ding Gagelonia
atmidfield.com

This should really be a non-issue – the matter of President-apparent Noynoy Aquino rising to the challenge of giving up smoking.

But it has become one with Mr. Aquino himself expressing annoyance:

“Noong tumakbo ako, alam ng taumbayan [na] naninigarilyo ako. At the appropriate time na hihinto ako, titigil ako. So long as nako-control ako sa mga batas at wala akong naiistorbo baka parte ito ng kalayaan kong natitira (When I ran for the presidency everyone knew I was a smoker. Perhaps I will kick the habit at the appropriate time. But for now, I hope people give me this leeway, as part of my remaining rights).

Here’s what Aquino is up against:

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral: “Kaya sabi ng isang anti-smoking advocate maawa siya sa PSG, mahirap siyang i-secure kung lalabas siya 10 meters away from the building sa Malacañang (An anti-smoking advocate had commented Aquino should take pity on the Presidential Security Group. It will be hard to secure him if he decides to smoke 10 meters away from a government building such as Malacañang).”

Under Republic Act 9211 and the Civil Service Commission, smoking may constitute a violation of office rules and procedures.

Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular 17 (signed by then chairman Ricardo Saludo on May 29, 2009): “smoking shall be absolutely prohibited in or on the premises, buildings and grounds of government agencies providing health, education and/or social welfare and development.”

The edict prohibits smoking in areas anywhere in or on the government premises, buildings and grounds, except for open spaces designated as “smoking areas.”

It defines a smoking area as located in an open space, and should not be located within 10 meters of entrances, exits or where people congregate.

Also, the smoking area cannot be larger than 10 square meters. Government buildings should not have more than one designated smoking area.

Smoking shall be prohibited in government vehicles.

Building administrators in government areas are to ensure strict compliance with the requirements of the smoking area.

Any violation shall be ground for disciplinary action, the CSC circular said.

For the rest of the article, click here (atmidfield)

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Rina Jimenez David also weighed in on Aquino’s smoking.

Here’s excerpts from her column “More unwelcome advice for Aquino”.

“Commenting on Noynoy Aquino’s smoking habit, several health practitioners have suggested that he give up on cigarettes not only for his own health—not a minor concern—but also to set an example for young people and other smokers like him, given that health complications linked to smoking, such as nicotine addiction, pulmonary stress, cardiovascular disorders and all sorts of cancers have become a major public health concern.

“Even the very act of smoking poses dangers not just to the smoker himself—our president-to-be in this case—but even to people around him. Studies have shown that so-called second-hand smoke, the noxious fumes that emanate from the mouths of smokers, are even more fraught with risks for those who inhale it. As explained by anti-smoking activists, this is because the exhaled smoke mixes with other impurities in the air before they enter the air passages of so-called ‘passive’ smokers…

“This may indeed be the most powerful argument that, it is hoped, will convince Aquino to prioritize the curbing of his harmful habit before he takes on the highest office of the land.

“It’s a matter of human rights, the right not just of smokers to health and safety, but also of non-smokers not to be exposed to harmful elements such as those contained in cigarette smoke and its leavings against their will and without their knowledge.

“In particular, it’s a matter of the right of children to health and safety, even if the source of harm is a parent or both parents.”