Anti-smoking, vaping ordinance pushed in Manila

Anti-tobacco advocates have urged Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna to pass an ordinance combating smoking and vaping.

- - Rhodina Villanueva

The appeal was made following a report from Doctors Without Borders, which showed that 1,280 residents in Tondo had been diagnosed with tuberculosis or TB, reflecting a local positivity rate of 4.3 percent, significantly higher than the national average of three percent.

Philippines Smoke-Free Movement national coordinator Rizza Duro said there is an urgent need to address smoking and vaping, which are well-known risk factors that compromise lung health and exacerbate vulnerability to diseases such as TB.