The World Health Organization hasexpressed concern that the Philippines is encouraging smoking by hosting one ofthe world's largest tobacco trade shows.
The two-day fair called ProTobEx ASIA opened Wednesday inthe capital's Pasay city for the second consecutive year. Organizers said theychose the Philippines over other locations in Asia because of its vibranttobacco industry and the "phenomenal" support of the Pasay citygovernment.
Organizers said that Pasay city authorities waived a ban onindoor smoking at the venue, the World Trade Center, but Pasay Mayor AntoninoCalixto said that the application was denied.
"Attendees should refrain from puffing cigarettesinside the venue," he said. "If they do so, they would violateexisting laws against smoking."
He said the city would send inspectors to check oncompliance.
The media was barred from the conference Wednesday andorganizers could not be reached for comment. Anti-smoking protesters held arally outside the venue calling for the fair to be closed.
Senior WHO adviser Eigil Sorensen said that the Philippinegovernment is a signatory to the international Framework Convention on TobaccoControl, which bans tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
"The exhibition should not be used to promotetobacco," he said in an interview. "We are against any activity thatpromotes tobacco use, and our advice to the government is to withdraw anyendorsements."
The U.N. agencies in the Philippines, including WHO, wroteto President Benigno Aquino III on March 11 to cite the government's commitmentto regulate tobacco in the country and protect Filipinos from its harmful effects.
Last year, former Philippine finance and health secretariescriticized a similar event, but Aquino had sent a welcome note, saying thetrade show benefited the economy.
Close to 14 million adult Filipinos smoke every day and anestimated 10 die each hour from tobacco-related diseases, WHO says.
The Philippines has one of Asia's highest smoking rates, andhad some of the lowest prices for tobacco products before a "sin tax"law took effect this year. It is gradually increasing tax on cigarettes to 30pesos ($0.72) or more per pack by 2017, roughly doubling the current price. Bycomparison, a pack of cigarettes costs about $1 in Laos, $3 in Malaysia, $6 inHong Kong and $9 in Singapore.
Sorensen said that aggressive cigarette advertisements andpromotions, such as the Manila event, have been shown to entice young people tostart smoking early and keep them hooked.
"Despite the significant decrease in the prevalence ofsmoking among youths 13 to 15 years old, the tobacco epidemic in the countryremains a serious one," he said.
One in 10 youths smoked in 2011, compared to two out of 10in 2007, according to the Philippine Department of Health.
The tobacco fair organizers said in their promotionalstatement that the event will feature the latest innovations in primaryprocessing, cigarette making and packaging.
The Philippines is home to major cigarette andcigar manufacturers such as PMFTC Inc., owned by Philip Morris InternationalInc., which bought local Fortune Tobacco Corp. in 2010.