Cotabato City (4 December) -- Smokers may now take seriously health warnings the health authorities have been harping on the dangers of cigarettes smoking.

The Center for Health Development, DOH 12 gathered recently representatives from the different line agencies in the region including health officials and representatives from the City government of Cotabato for Tobacco Orientation and Creation of Regional Tobacco Control Team.

Among the topics explained and discussed were the Situationer on Tobacco Control; The National Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, and the RA 9211 otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The briefing/orientation conference signaled the Advocacy Campaign on Tobacco Control Program to be carried out regionwide.

Planned activities of each member agencies were initially submitted for incorporation into a regional action plan.

During deliberations measures that are contributory to the anti-smoking drive were discussed, among them are dormant anti-smoking ordinances.

The group expects that these kind of ordinances will be revived with government and private sectors joining together to push for its serious implementation to protect public and vulnerable young people from being initiated into the habit of smoking at the early age.

During the same occasion, DOH 12 Director Abdullah B. Dumama, Jr. MD, in his welcome statement assured that the Advocacy Program will have a far reaching effect to the public particularly the tobacco consumers.

Dumama further revealed that due to this vicious habit, about 5 million deaths a year had been recorded, all these are being attributed to cigarette smoking.