PLCPD and CRN express dismay over the Philippines’ receipt of Dirty Ashtray award

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing on February 21, PLCPD, as convenor of the Child Rights Network (CRN), expressed disappointment in the Philippine delegation for prioritizing tobacco industry interests over public health and the welfare of children public health at the tenth session of the Conference of Parties of the World Health Organization-Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC).

Senator Pia Cayetano, Committee Chair, slammed the country’s ‘balanced approach’ to tobacco control, highlighting the irreconcilable difference between protecting public health and protecting the interests of the tobacco industry.

The ‘Dirty Ashtray’ was conferred to the Philippine delegation for obstructing consensus at the COP10 on the creation of an important experts group that will facilitate the implementation of FCTC Articles 9 and 10, on the regulation and disclosure of the contents and emissions of tobacco products, and caused further delays that deferred the discussion of this particular to the next COP.

Ms. Angelica Ramirez, CRN’s focal person, called for making the Philippine delegation accountable for disregarding public health, especially in safeguarding children and youth. She emphasized the urgency of strengthening tobacco control measures to avert lifelong consequences of nicotine addiction and use of tobacco and nicotine products for future generations of Filipinos.