Draft Bill on Cigarette Impact Controls for Health Reasons - Protecting Children

Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR) has taken the initiative to propose a Draft Bill on Controlling the Impacts of Cigarettes for Health Reasons (Draft Bill) which is expressly a harm reduction bill in that it seeks to protect people, particularly children, from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

The Draft Bill in essence cuts straight to the chase and states that the purpose and rationale is to recognize that cigarettes are addictive and the direct and indirect impacts on health, individuals, the community, and the environment are severe. Overall the Draft Bill is framed in such a manner that there is an obligation on the Government to take steps to control tobacco use and the effects that arise from its use.