Regional Updates

Philippines: DILG: No liquor, cigarettes in community pantries

28 April 2021 Melissa Luz Lopez, CNN Philippines Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will prohibit the distribution of certain items in community pantries under new guidelines. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said while the agency will not require pantry organizers to secure permits, it will set some …

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Philippines: The hypocrisy of “CSR” in the time of COVID-19

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

25 March 2021 Anna Bueno, Vera Files: A bill to reward businesses for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities is pending in Congress. At its face, the bill may be harmless: Who would not want to reward companies when they appear to be more socially responsible, especially in this time of need? While it is not clear if …

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Cambodia: New tobacco device banned

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

21 March 2021 Niem Chheng, The Phnom Phen Post: The National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) has instructed all relevant ministries and institutions to take immediate action to stop the use and commercialisation of heated tobacco products (HTPs) – devices that heat actual tobacco to release its nicotine content – and Electronic Delivery of Nicotine …

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100% smoke-free pushed to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

February 2021, The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a fervent call for the establishment of more smoke-free environments in the Philippines to uphold every Filipino’s right to health as provided for in Article II Section 15 of the Philippine Constitution which states that the State shall promote people’s right to health and instill health consciousness …

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Filipinos want national smoking ban in public places, survey says

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

4 February 2021 Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco, Business Mirror: More can still be done to ensure the safety of Filipinos when it comes to the harmful effects of smoking and the results of a recent survey may lead policy-makers to the right direction. According to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia in December 2020, there is overwhelming …

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What happens when Big Tobacco’s pandemic donations tangle with Philippine politicians drafting new laws?

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

January 2021 Lina Sagaral Reye, Eco-Business: Major tobacco firms have long used corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to cosy up to government officials and policy makers across the world. In the Philippines, pandemic donations have been made at a time when an industry-friendly vaping bill was being pushed in Congress, critics claim. Image: Eco-Business A …

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Job Announcement

Leave a Comment / Regional Updates / By SEATCA

Call for job applicants: The Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) is looking for a motivated and talented Media and Communications Officer. Closing date for applications: 21 February 2021 Summary of position offered: The Media and Communications Officer is primarily responsible for the over-all development and coordination of SEATCA’s external communications. He/She identifies and coordinates …

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Malaysia: did the tobacco industry collaborate with media to defeat tax increase?

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

26 January 2021 Marita Hefler, BMJ: Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed It has been five years since Malaysia last had a tobacco tax increase. The 2021 budget, announced in November 2020, was an opportunity to correct this shortcoming and use one of the most cost-effective measures available to governments to reduce smoking. Instead, tobacco taxes remained …

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Philippines: Dark side to Big Tobacco’s Covid-19 CSR activities?

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

16 December 2020 Lina Sagaral Reyes, Eco-Business: Donations of ventilators and supplies are part of a ‘classic tactic’ by the industry to get close to governments and try to undermine health policies, say public health advocates. Should tobacco firms’ CSR activities be allowed? On 26 March this year, as the Philippines recorded 707 Covid-19 cases two …

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PASS OR FAIL: Findings from Asian and ASEAN Tobacco Industry Interference Indexes

Regional Updates / By SEATCA

On 20 November 2020, SEATCA gathered public health experts, tobacco control advocates and government agencies to launch the 2020 Asian and ASEAN Tobacco Industry Interference Indexes covering 18 countries from the region. The webinar entitled ‘PASS OR FAIL: Findings from Asian and ASEAN Tobacco Industry Interference Indexes’ moderated by SEATCA Senior Policy Advisor, Dr. Mary Assunta, featured …

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