House Bill No. 6210, authored by Probinsyano Ako Party-list Rep. Jose “Bonito” Singson, Jr., would amend the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 by adjusting the minimum allowable age for smoking from the current 18 to 21 years old.
Singson said the bill is in response to the recommendation of the United Nation Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases to increase the minimum age of people allowed to purchase tobacco products to 21.
“The bill aims to save lives, and improve the health conditions of our youth, for as the executive is actively doing its part in its advocacy against the harmful effects of smoking, so should the legislative, in keeping with international standards of public health and good practices,” Singson said.
Under the measure, packaging of tobacco products must indicate they are not for sale to persons below 21 years old.
In 2019, the Department of Health backed the UN’s call to raise the minimum age requirement for smoking tobacco products.
The World Health Organization has warned smoking could lead to heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, and cancer.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 23) — A lawmaker has filed a bill that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to people below 21 years old.
