26 June 2016
Health advocates yesterday expressed gratitude to President Aquino who, despite being a smoker, approved two “vital” tobacco control laws during his term.
President Aquino
The New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP), an anti-smoking group of cancer survivors, thanked Aquino for his role in the passage of the Sin Tax and Graphic Health Warning (GHW) laws.
“Among President Aquino’s legacy shall always be the signing of the two measures that have been proven as effective tools in curbing the tobacco menace in the country: The Sin Tax law and the GHW law. These two policies will forever be linked to the Aquino administration,” NVAP president Emer Rojas said.
Rojas said his group “deeply appreciates ” Aquino since while the President is a smoker, he chose to support measures benefiting the health of many.
“Being a smoker himself proved to be a non-factor for President Aquino as it did not stop him from considering what would be beneficial for all Filipinos, which is to save them from developing smoking-related illnesses, through these tobacco control policies,” the NVAP president noted.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/smoker-aquino-thanked-for-anti-smoking-laws/
