DOH, Lung Center, CHO push smoking cessation hotline

By: Lorenzo O. Lambatin Jr.

BACOLOD City – Want to quit smoking?

Call the Department of Health and Lung Center of the Philippines’ “Quitline” 165-364 for assistance if you are within Metro Manila area.

Using a cellphone, Smart, Talk and Text and Sun subscribers may call 0921-203-9534 while Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers may call 0977-672-7539.

The City Health Office (CHO) supports the ‘Quitline’ project, said Dr. Claire Caperal of the Smoking Cessation/Tobacco Control Program of this city.

It carries a core message “Sigarilyo ay Iwasan, Kalusugan ay Pahalagahan; Mahalin ang Buhay, Bisyo ay Labanan (Avoid smoking, value your health; Love your life, fight off vices),” she added.

She said they are focusing on sparing the youth from getting into the vice inspired by Singapore anti-smoking program where Singaporean’s born starting the year 2000 cannot hold, sell and buy cigarettes, paving the way for the eventual phasing out of tobacco in the country.

She said Iloilo City has started the program patterned after Singapore last January 2018 as the DOH regional office urges schools to do its part highlighting local anti-smoking ordinances.

The CHO is also going towards the direction beginning their campaigns in schools.

In Bacolod City, she noted that it is illegal for minors to sell, buy, and possess lit or unlit cigar. An adult who also asked a minor to buy a cigarette will be held liable.

Caperal said laws should be discussed to the youths as well as the ill effects of smoking.

A CHO advisory claims that “in the Philippines, a third of the population is at risk of dying from serious illnesses and painful deaths due to tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.” (PIA-6)