DOH probes banned tobacco billboards

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is set to look into the illegal posting of tobacco billboards and signages in stores.

Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said reports on such advertisements shall be endorsed to the local DOH office for investigation and appropriate action.

Domingo stressed that the DOH stands against the advertisement of tobacco products on billboards and signages in sari-sari stores.

“This stance aligns with Section 22 of Republic Act 9211, which prohibits all forms of tobacco advertising in mass media, with the exception of advertisements placed inside the premises of point-of-sale retail establishments,” he noted.

Violations of the law, he said, must be reported to the DOH.

Health Justice Inc. reported the proliferation of tobacco advertisements despite the ban on outdoor advertising.

Congress instituted the ban to prevent the youth from being exposed to tobacco marketing.

“We call on the Inter-agency Committee on Tobacco headed by the Department of Trade and Industry to enforce the ban and punish erring establishments,” Health Justice said.