Three towns in the Philippines have temporarily banned smoking, cigarettes and other tobacco products as part of efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Luna, Quezon Province Mayor Matt Erwin Florido disallowed the sale and purchase of cigarettes in the town for the whole duration of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
San Antonio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Marvin Salonga imposed a total ban on sin products which include tobacco and e-cigarettes for the duration of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
The Town of Masantol in Pampanga headed by Mayor Danilo Guintu also banned the selling and smoking of cigarettes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) clearly states that smoking and vaping are undoubtedly harmful. Given the available evidence about COVID-19, people who smoke or vape should quit now to reduce their risk of infection and severe lung damage. Furthermore, smokers and vapers who are asymptomatic carriers of the virus can easily transmit the virus to those around them through secondhand smoke or aerosol exposure.
References:
- Quezon Town temporarily bans cigarettes amid COVID-19 threat – https://seatca.org/
philippines-quezon-town- temporarily-bans-cigarettes- amid-covid-19-threat/ - Ecija mayor imposes total ban on sin products during ECQ – https://journal.com.ph/news/
provincial/ecija-mayor- imposes-total-ban-sin- products-during-ecq - Smoking ban up in Masantol town – https://www.sunstar.com.ph/
article/1853917 - Warning: Smoking and vaping can worsen COVID-19 – https://seatca.org/warning-
smoking-and-vaping-can-worsen- covid-19/
