Confessions of a former smoker
I was a teenager when I started to smoke a cigarette. Being
away from home and my parents’ prying eyes during college in Manila provided me
with the freedom to try many things, including smoking.
My college’s cafeteria has an al fresco area
where students can smoke. So, puffed we did, in between conversations about how
the 2,000: 40 girl-boy population in school has resulted to the bloated egos of
our male students, among other things.
Had so many memories about smoking, which at that time, I
thought was “cool”. Even experimented on the latest brands and flavors. Loved
those slims! Didn’t care about the “rumors” that smoking can cause bad breath.
Memory 1: Mom confronted me after she found a pack of
cigarettes inside my bag. The rebellious teen then lectured her about respect
and opening other people’s bags, a tactic (huwag tularan) to veer away from the
real issue of smoking.
Memory 2: Peer pressure. I thought I succeeded in
tempting another teen – my brother – when he lighted a cigarette and puffed
some. But, he stopped and threw the cigarette away. That was an example of “self-control”
and of saying “no”.
Memory 3: I got sick a lot.
Memory 4: The rumors were true – smoking causes bad
breath. I flirted with a smoker and his breath really sucked. I did not ask
what he thought of my breath.
Memory 5: My father was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis due to smoking. It
is a disease where a build-up of plaque narrows the arteries. The hardened
plaque limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body. Tobacco smoke harms
our blood vessels. The damage on the heart and on the function of the blood
vessels increase the risk of having atherosclerosis.
So, experience (the best teacher) ended the love affair
with smoking.
 |
The Iloilo Anti-Smoking Task Force hangs a graphic
streamer at the hall of Brgy. East Baluarte Molo.
|
WILL MORE PINOYS STOP SMOKING?
Nowadays, whenever I see teens who smoke (check out the
smug faces when they do haha), I thought of the “past”. Some teens outgrow the
phase while some do not. But, with intervention, there is always hope.
Just recently, the Philippines’ Graphic Health Warning
Act took effect. Senator Franklin Drilon, in a press release, said that he is
confident that this, along with the full implementation of the Sin Tax Reform
Law will result in more Filipinos quitting smoking.
Records from the Department of Health and the Social
Weather Stations (SWS) showed that “as an effect of the Sin Tax Reform Law,
smokers of lower socio-economic standing (class E) are beginning to stop
smoking. From December 2012 to March 2014, the number of smokers from class E
dropped down by 13 percent, from 38 percent to 25 percent.”
Drilon said that additional revenues generated from the
Sin Tax Reform Law will continue to benefit the health sector. “For instance,
in the proposed P2.606 trillion 2015 national budget, 15.4 indigent families
will be enrolled in Philhealth, which will mostly be funded from sin tax
collections.”
“Under the Sin Tax Reform Act, 80 percent of the
remaining incremental revenues will be allocated for the universal health care
under the NHIP and 20 percent will be allocated nationwide for medical
assistance and health facilities enhancement program,” he added.
“The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) also reported that
the sin tax collections for the first half of the year are nearly twice that of
collections made within the same time period in 2013. The government’s domestic
cigarette tax collection has gone up by 44 percent, as the government was able
to build up collections up to P28.1 billion from January to June of 2014, as
compared to the P19.5 billion cigarette excise tax collections made from
January to June of 2013,” he further said.
PUBLIC SUPPORT
Meanwhile, we can support the government’s
efforts by highlighting their positive gains as well as carefully minding our
words when we suggest improvements if any. Our positive approach will likely
breed optimism, instead of cynicism among the youth, inspiring them to support
as well.
However, nothing beats setting an example. Most often,
children or teens who smoke have parents who smoke. Adults can give up smoking
for their child’s sake, at least. But those who can’t can refrain from smoking
around the child and from scattering cigarette butts everywhere. However, this
breeds distrust.
A parent or guardian can ask how a child or teen feels
about smoking. The young mostly likely engage in smoking because they think it
is glamorous and it is one way of becoming part of the “in” group. Once a teenager
myself, I could say that judging a child for being bad or issuing ultimatums do
not work. Rather, explain the hazards of smoking, show examples of well-loved
people who died of lung cancer, and make him/her list down how much is being spent (wasted)
on cigarettes.
Moreover, inspire a child to get involved in sports or other activities
where he/she can also look “cool” and “in”./Kathy Villalon
RELATED LINKS
