Smoking VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/13/2010

Smoking

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 06/13/2010 Lately, there has been and there still is a lot of extraordinary interest, talk and concern about the ordinary phenomenon of smoking. Do not smoke! Why smoke? Smoking is bad! And so on. Smoking makes you sick! Why poison yourself? Smokers harm others’ health! And so forth. The truth is that even the Department of Health has joined the fray, intending to wage a social war against smoking, even proposing the use of the pack itself of cigarettes to counter smoking. And the cigarette industry in turn, signified its vehement objections to the anti-smoking drive coming to fore these days. It helps the economy. It provides employment. It contributes to the development of the country. Leave it alone. There are indications to the effect that the rather bitter fight between the anti-smoking advocacy and the pro-smoking promotion will continue for some more time — unlike so many very more serious issues in this country that come and go with the rising and the setting of the sun. Reason: There is a very important personality in the forefront of this particular Philippine socio-political scenery, who is the target recipient of a good amount of unsolicited advice against smoking. Pitiful man. He merely wants to smoke — buying his own cigarettes. He simply enjoys smoking — helping the industry. And there is the mob that tells him “Stop it!” and “Go ahead!” all at the same time.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100613com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL And still more lies FRONTLINE Too full of himself ENQUIRY Binay: Man of the Moment BLURBAL THRUSTS Isabela’s Padaca leaves behind P2 billion C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S What loyalty check? VIEWPOINTS Smoking TABLETS OF STONE The trouble with destiny