LGUs urged to gear up for post-Covid anti-tobacco programs

TWO health and environmental organizations on Thursday issued a common plea to all local government units (LGUs) to strengthen their tobacco prevention and control programs to protect their constituents from the lingering threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), even after the quarantine restrictions are lifted.

In a statement, the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH Philippines) and the EcoWaste Coalition pointed to the vital need to reinvigorate existing programs as experts have warned that smokers are likely to develop severe Covid-19 symptoms compared to non-smokers.