MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III should support a global campaign against smoking, doctors said. In a press statement, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and the National Social Action Council (NASAC) urged Aquino to lead the effective implementation in the country of the World Health Organization-Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC).

This, even as the President is known to smoke tobacco.

“The President of the Republic, as the father of this nation, has the duty to safeguard the health and wellness of Filipinos most especially the youth,” said PMA president and NASAC chair Dr. Oscar Tinio. “Smoking is a major crime against a person’s body and therefore a clear and present danger to the health of our people.” The Philippines was among the 172 countries that signed the WHO-FCTC, the first international treaty negotiated under the WHO and entered into force on February 25, 2005. The treaty was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic, the PMA said.

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http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/305402/doctors-aquino-lead-example-quit-smoking

 http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2011/february/21/metro2.isx&d=2011/february/21