More local government units and civil society groups have added their voices to the clamor for picture-based warnings on cigarette packs even as tobacco control advocates in Congress remain hopeful that the bill would soon be passed.

MANILA — International and national non-government organizations press for measures to arrest high prices of medicines and strict implementation of penalty provisions as they present to Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla today their proposal of the IRR of the Cheaper Medicines Bill.
The proposed IRR that also seeks transparency and clearer accountabilities of public officials and government [...]

Statement by Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
WASHINGTON, Aug 29, 2008 — For the second time in a month, Philip Morris International has had to withdraw sponsorship and promotion of a concert in a developing country after coming under international criticism for engaging in cigarette marketing that appeals to children.
This time, Philip [...]

The report provides powerful scientific evidence and guidance to governments around the world on how the tobacco industry uses and manipulates the media to encourage tobacco use and effective steps governments can take to protect the health of their citizens.

Health advocates led by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Alliance Philippines (FCAP) hailed as victory for the health sector
the pull-out of a tobacco company from the much-awaited Eraserheads
reunion concert this weekend.
Amidst this, FCAP lauded the Department of Health for standing firm in
its position against the involvement of Philip Morris Phils.
Manufacturing Inc. (PMPMI) in the concert.
[...]

The “GMO-free rice restaurants” campaign, launched Wednesday at Fish and Co. restaurant in Ortigas Center, aims to gather the commitment of restaurants around the country to serve only GMO-free rice.

August 7, 2008

Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison Maglaya
Department of Trade and Industry
Inter-Agency Committee-Tobacco
Makati City
Dear Madame,
Re: An Urgent Call for the IAC-T to Take Appropriate Legal and Enforcement Action regarding Philip Morris’ Sponsorship of the Eraserheads Reunion Concert Set on August 30, 2008, in violation of Sec. 26, RA [...]

“Once again, Philip Morris International has been caught engaging in cigarette marketing that appeals to children in a developing country and that would not be tolerated in the United States and other wealthier nations,” says Matthew L. Myers, president of the US-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

(The report below is from The International Tobacco-Control Network and was prepared by Ronald M. Davis, M.D. in 1998. Dr. David was the director of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention of the Henry Ford Health System in the United States.)
CONTENTS
1. Background and author’s qualifications
2. How tobacco [...]

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, an international anti-smoking group, has likewise praised singer Alicia Keys for forcing ****** to withdrawal as sponsor of her concert in Indonesia.

PRESS STATEMENT 26 July 2008
Contact Person: VG Benosa, PLCPD Media Advocacy Officer, Mobile 0918-2936786
A PRO-POOR SONA MUST INCLUDE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND POPULATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
We challenge President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to take a stand and finally pronounce a clear and comprehensive national reproductive health and [...]

A health alliance today hits the use of a descriptors in cigarette packages, saying such mislead the public, especially the young people, in believing that a cigarette could be “mild” or “light” in its ill-effects on one’s health.
Dr Maricar Limpin of the tobacco control advocacy group Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance-Philippines (FCAP) in a [...]

Reminiscent of the House deliberation on the Cheaper Medicines bill, the health alliance against smoking, in a statement today says, some legislators are trying to delay the passage of the public health legislation on tobacco regulation by using the quorum issue during the committee hearing Tuesday.
Ifugao Rep. Solomon R. Chungalao threatened to question the quorum [...]

The truth could never be more damning: Smoking is the world’s leading preventable cause of death today. So, for the tobacco industry to survive, it has to replace smokers it kills or those who quit. This it does by hooking new customers—often targeting teenagers and young adults. Unless urgent measures are [...]

July 1 marks deadline for tobacco ads
An advertising executive and at the same time, a tobacco control advocate calls on the tobacco industry, the local government units, and those involved in tobacco advertising, to stop tobacco advertising immediately as the July 1 deadline on tobacco ad approaches.
“In light of the tobacco ad ban provided in [...]

In a statement to mark World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, WHO said the tobacco industry preys on the vulnerability of young people, knowing that they underestimate the risk of becoming addicted to nicotine. WHO called on policy-makers to support the ban on advertising, sponsorship and promotion.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is open to a meeting with advocates and stakeholders of biotechnology in a dialogue, according to Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros.
Oliveros. who chairs the CBCP Office on Bioethics stressed a dialogue will [...]