Proposed Law to Require Picture Warnings on Hazards of Smoking

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PUBLISHED ON April 2, 2008 AT 4:00 PM

Under the bill, “picture-based health warnings” means
warning labels that consist of a photographic picture
on health dangers or other problems related to tobacco
use or exposure to tobacco smoke and an accompanying
textual warning that is related to the picture, as
issued by the Department of Health.

To ensure the effective implementation of the
Picture-Based Health Warning Act and to prevent the
tobacco industry from utilizing the other arms of
government to frustrate this effort on tobacco
control, the DOH is given the sole authority to
administer and enforce the provisions of this
legislation and the concurrent powers to issue the
necessary rules and regulations, including the
imposition of fines on violators, the issuance of
subpoenas and the confiscation of non-complaint
tobacco packages.

The bill prescribes penalties in the form of fines and
imprisonment for manufacturers, importers, exporters
and distributors of tobacco products, as well as their
agents/representatives for failure to comply with this
proposed law.

Violators will be slapped a fine of not more than P1
million for the first offense, P5 million for the
second offense and P20 million or imprisonment of not
more than one year, or both at the discretion of the
court, for the third offense. Likewise the business
permits and licenses of the erring entities or
establishments shall be revoked or cancelled.

“This pro-poor bill will eventually result in more
savings, increased productivity, additional money for
health and education, less sickness and less health
costs for the citizenry,” Pimentel said.

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