Tobacco firms’ meddling bewailed

Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Emil Ong assailed the alleged interference of “tobacco monopolists” in health and revenue policies as he urged the government to ensure compliance with the treaty the country ratified in 2005 with the World Health Organization-Frame Work Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FWCTC).

Ong, a member of the House ways and means committee, cited the findings of the Tobacco Industry Interference Index recently released by the WHO-FWCTC showing the Philippines ranked third with a dismal performance rating of 71 due to the interference of tobacco “monopolists.” Indonesia was given a rating of 78; Malaysia, 72; Cambodia, 68; Laos PDR, 61; Thailand, 51; and Brunei Darussalam, 29.