Smokers, experts divided over smoking ban plan, 29/04/11
A smoker in September 23 Park in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. The government is assessing public opinion on a draft law that would
Vietnam launches no-tobacco week, 25/04/11
(VOV) – The Health Ministry’s National Programme on Tobacco Affect Prevention on April 25 launched the “National No Tobacco Week” in response to the World
Cigarette prices may increase, 25/04/11
MANILA, Philippines – The price of local cigarettes may go up by as much as 83 percent next year based on the comparative estimation of
Mid-Term Review of Country Projects on HPFs, Malacca, Malaysia
In September 2010, tobacco control and other health advocates from 9 countries in the Western Pacific region, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Samoa,
2nd SEATCA Regional Media Officers Workshop: Malacca, Malaysia
Last 31 March-1 April, the second Media Officers Workshop was held in Malacca, Malaysia. Twelve media officers from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and
Local producer to make a horror film about smoking, 22/04/11
While many film-makers are keen on making films on ghosts and the supernatural, one producer has a different idea. Aron Koh, 32, is making a
Paying the cost of tobacco-related illnesses
In a recent meeting of the House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Congressman Hermilando I. Mandanas of Batangas, a paper was presented by HealthJustice,
WHO wants changes to tobacco tax policies, 22 April 2011
The government should increase the tax rate on rollyourown tobacco product to reduce the number of smokers who turn to cheaper products because of high
SITT Project Coordinator
Title: Southeast Asia Initiative on Tobacco Tax (SITT) Project Research CoordinatorOrganizational unit: Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), Bangkok,ThailandContract period: 40 months, with Initial three
Congratulations Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo: 2011 Judy Wilkenfeld Awardee
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is pleased to announce the winner of the 2011Judy Wilkenfeld Award for International Tobacco Control Excellence, E. Ulysses “Yul” Dorotheo.
Philippines: Petition to reform the tobacco tax system and save the lives of Filipinos
PETITION TO REFORM THE TOBACCO TAX SYSTEM AND SAVE THE LIVES OF FILIPINOS We appeal to our dear legislators to support the proposal to
Seoul Declaration: NCD Prevention and Control in WPRO, 18/03/11
SEOUL DECLARATION ON NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION Recognizing the serious and rapidly increasing adverse impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),
New laws likely to drive cigarettes prices further, 21/03/11
Two bills on tobacco tax valuation to be considered by the cabinet tomorrow will push up retail prices of cigarettes, according to Pongpanu Svetarundra, director-general
New sin tax proposals expect to raise P58.5B in gov’t revenue; Cigarette prices up by 83%, 21/03/11
The Department of Finance said the government expects to get as much as P58.5 billion pesos of incremental revenues to the government coffers in 2012
Statement-Dr. Judith Mackay: WHO-WPRO Regional Consultation, NCD’s
A call for a strong and united battle against Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Seoul-17 March 2011—Today, government representatives of the Western Pacific Region will have an
Tighter regulation of tobacco, cigarette manufacturing approved, 16/03/11
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health is tightening its grip on tobacco use through the newly approved implementing rules and regulations of a law that gave
Cambodia Sub decree on Ad Bans approved
Cambodia: Tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship will be banned by July 2011 The Sub-Decree on Advertising Ban of Tobacco Products was approved by the Royal
Vietnam Workshop: ‘Harmful Effects and the Draft Tobacco Control Law’
Vinh phuc province, Vietnam: Lat March 10, 2011, a workshop ‘About Harmful Effects and Drafted Tobacco Control Law’ was held jointly by the Vietnam Law
Philippines optimistic on winning cigarette case against Thailand, 01/05/11
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is optimistic the Appellate Body (AB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will rule in favor of the Philippines
Column: Why collecting more cigarette taxes makes sense, 14/03/11
The health of the nation continues to be a compelling reason why more cigarette taxes should be collected, and this has been the subject of
Smokers Set to Challenge Regulations, 14/03/11
A community of clove cigarette smokers said on Thursday it was planning to file a judicial review against a joint ministerial decree regulating smoke-free zones.
1-4 March: WHO NCD Consultation, SEARO, Jakarta
Opinion: A call for a strong and united battle against Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Jakarta-01 March 2011—Today, government representatives of the Southeast Asian region (SEAR) will
Kota Baru bans shisha smoking, 22/02/11
KOTA BARU: The Kota Baru Municipal Council has banned all food outlets here from allowing shisha smoking at their premises with immediate effect. Its secretary
Parañaque issues guidelines for designating smoking areas, 18/02/11
MANILA, Philippines – The Parañaque City government reminded all businesses establishments in the city who want to designate a smoking area in their premises to
PNoy urged to back anti-smoking campaign, 20/02/11
MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III should support a global campaign against smoking, doctors said. In a press statement, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA)
Tobacco Ads to Be Banned in Phases: Ministry, 18/02/11
The Healthy Ministry said it would likely start banning cigarette ads and sponsorships at schools, concerts and events geared toward students, but gave no details
Indonesian Court Hears Pro-Tobacco Testimony, 14/02/11
Indonesia has banned smoking in public places and is trying to curb tobacco advertising. Yet the idea that tobacco is an addictive substance is being
Nation’s tobacco industry on a roll, but at what cost?
EACH working day, as the sun rises, the streets and laneways of Kudus fill with tens of thousands of women. On bikes and buses, by
Malaysian Indians least likely to kick the butt: Study
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 6 (IANS) Malaysian Indians are least likely to quit smoking compared to the Chinese or the Malays, a study has revealed. The
Public good versus profit
In the last two years, my husband and I lost a brother and a couple of friends to cancer of the lungs. They were all
Ex-health secretaries want graphic warnings on cigarette packs, 17/01/11
MANILA, Philippines—Former health secretaries urged the Supreme Court to allow graphic picture warnings on cigarette packs. In a 39-page petition for intervention in the case
Indonesia Lawyers Get Fired Up by Smoking Ban, 21/01/11
Jakarta. A group of lawyers has mounted a bid to challenge the city’s new antismoking decree, saying it violated human rights. Habiburokhman, a lawyer for
Naval lawmaker pushes for smoke-free town
NAVAl, Biliran, Jan. 27 (PIA) – Being a doctor by profession, Gabino Sabonsolin Velasquez IV, reelected Sangguniang Bayan member of Naval, pushes for a smoke-free
Brunei: Cigarettes top list of smuggled items, 27/01/11
CIGARETTES have shot to the top of the list of smuggled dutiable items in the country following a price hike in tobacco goods in November
Our Congratulations to SEATCA Director Bungon Ritthiphakdee: RD 2010 ASIAN of the Year
Bungon Rithiphakdee: Fighting the Endless War Against Tobacco Nuchanad Netprasertsri It has been more than 20 years since Bungon Rithiphakdee stood on the frontlines of
Have a smoke-free holiday, 26/12/10
MANILA, Philippines – It is the season when people tend to become unhealthy. They take a break from exercising, they eat and drink more and
Phuket Sun Sets on Smoking Tourists – Phuket Wan December 13, 2010
Pathomporn Kaenkrachang TOURISTS from China, Korea and Indonesia are likely to be dismayed at a new order banning smoking outdoors at Phuket’s popular Cape Promthep
Philippines-Lawmakers asked to free kids from cigarettes
The public hearing on tobacco excise tax at the House of Representatives by the Committee on Ways and Means last Monday, 13 December, barely lasted 2 hours.
Vietnam-Dry tobacco from Cambodia will be imported to Vietnam with 0% tax
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has released Circular 37/2010 According to this circular, 25.000 tons of rice and 3.000 tons of dry tobacco
NRT Products in demand since cigarette price hike, 06/12/10
Sales of over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products appear to have increased following the government’s tax hike on tobacco products last month. The excise duty
New! Toolkit on Preventing Tobacco Industry Interference
PREVENTING TOBACCO INDUSTRY INTERFERENCEA Toolkit for Policy Makers and Advocate SEATCA and Health Justice, Inc. has produced a simple, user-friendly toolkit based on the
Health agency alarmed by smoking in government agencies, 24/11/10
THE regional Department of Health is concerned over the increasing instances of smoking in public and in government agencies and its effects on people’s health.
Tobacco tax hikes to raise revenues, promote health
TOBACCO TAXATION reforms should be pursued given the government’s aims of raising revenues and fostering public health, a law school and a nonprofit organization said.
Civil Society Denounces Philippine Delegation to International Health Treaty
19 November 2010 – Punta del Este, Uruguay— Civil society representatives from over 100 countries yesterday singled out the Philippine delegation to the fourth session of
The tobacco industry unmasked
In dealing with tobacco and its health, social, economic, and environmental harms, governments should be guided by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This
Losing out at home, Big tobacco heads abroad
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Robert sits on his haunches exhaling puffs of thin smoke and clutching a ragged cigarette between tobacco-stained fingers. Lines crowd his dark
More clarity on pricing ‘nightmare’ for smokers, 09/11/10
CIGARETTE prices have doubled to almost $8 per pack as the Department of Economic Planning and Development under the Prime Minister’s Office issued the
Indonesia could lose Rp 300b from illegal cigarette, 10/11/10
A recent study conducted by the Gajah Mada University shows that Indonesia could lose up to Rp 300 billion (US$ 3.3 million) due to falsified
Indonesia: This volcano brought to you by Philip Morris, 04/11/10
As Mount Merapi continues to erupt, cigarette companies sponsor rescue efforts. Mount Merapi’s wrath Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia’s most volatile volcanoes, erupts. (Fauzan Ijazah/GlobalPost)