Monday, October 17, 2016

PHILIPPINES - Words of a Cancer Survivor

"This cancer survivor wants to stop kids in the Philippines from lighting up" PBS NewsHour 10/14/2016

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  As smoking rates have fallen in the U.S. and Europe, tobacco companies have focused their advertising elsewhere, especially Asia.  In the Philippines, 25 percent of the population smokes, and cigarettes are a leading cause of death.  But one former smoker is cultivating a grassroots campaign to influence legislation and publicize the dangers -- especially to children.  Hari Sreenivasan reports.

ACTIVISTS:  We want the pictures now!  Pictures save lives!

HARI SREENIVASAN (NewsHour):  On the streets in Manila, demonstrators march against tobacco.

ACTIVIST:  We want to make our voices heard.

HARI SREENIVASAN:  Their cause is supported by the medical profession here.

DR. TONY LEACHON, Philippine College of Physicians:  Smoking's the number one killer in the Philippines.

HARI SREENIVASAN:  Dr. Tony Leachon is the president of the Philippine College of Physicians.

DR. TONY LEACHON:  For the young Filipinos, smoking is considered a macho image for men.

SMOKER:  I know it's bad — it's bad for our health, but this is to relax myself out from work.

RACHEL ROSARIO, Philippine Cancer Society:  Culturally, smoking seems to be an accepted mode of socialization, an accepted mode of relaxation.

HARI SREENIVASAN:  Rachel Rosario is with the Philippine Cancer Society.

RACHEL ROSARIO:  There is that vision of holding a cigarette and smoking with makeup — it seems to be something that we have to fight against.

SMOKER:  It's really hard to kick the habit.  I try to lessen it down, cut it, but then you always have that urge.

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