The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) is calling on local government units (LGUs) in the region to pass ordinances containing comprehensive tobacco control policies to address lung-related diseases in the region.

The call was made as the country celebrates National Lung Month this August.

John Richard Lapascua, DOH-6 Center for Health Development Nurse V for the non-communicable disease section, said out of 133 LGUs in Western Visayas, 91 have ordinances on comprehensive tobacco control.

Of those with the comprehensive ordinance, 16 are from Aklan province, 15 from Antique, 14 from Capiz, three in Guimaras, 31 in Iloilo City and province, and 12 from Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

“Others also have their ordinances but we could not consider them comprehensive. That is why we push the comprehensive ordinance to ensure people are safe from tobacco smoke in public. We also include the prohibition of electronic cigarettes,” Lapascua said.

A comprehensive ordinance includes a selling ban of 100 meters away from places where there are minors, such as schools, a smoking ban 10 meters away from where people pass by or congregate, and a tobacco advertising promotion and sponsorship ban.

Lapascua said this year’s celebration emphasizes first- and second-smokes, which, according to studies, are risk factors for lung diseases although not directly contributory.

In 2022, five of the 10 leading causes of illness in the region were lung diseases, including pneumonia, acute respiratory infection (ARI) for those above five years old, all forms of tuberculosis, ARI for those below five years old, and bronchitis.

“This is very alarming because out of the 10 common causes of consultation, five are lung diseases, which are preventable,” he said.

Further, three of the top 10 leading causes of death in 2021 were also lung-related diseases, including pneumonia, diseases of the respiratory system, and COVID-19. (PNA)