Survey Finds More than Half of Metro Manila Citizens Inhale Second-Hand Smoke Every Day
Monday, June 15, 2009
Contact: Jorge Alday, Public Relations Manager
* 87% think cigarettes
causes heart disease in non-smokers, yet only
8% complain regularly
*Research shows very strong support
for smoking bans in public spaces
(New York and Manila, Philippines) – Today Center for Health Development – Metro Manila (CHD-MM) and World Lung Foundation (WLF) published the first results of a survey that shows 52% of Metro Manila citizens are exposed to second-hand smoke every day in workplaces, restaurants and other public spaces. The comprehensive survey of smoking knowledge, attitudes and behavior also revealed that 74% are exposed at least once per week.
Too Polite To
Complain
According to the research, 71% of non-smokers
strongly agree that being
around smoke upsets them, yet only 8% told
smokers to stop smoking
around them in the last week. In addition to
being upset, people say
they know second-hand smoke harms
non-smokers. 87% of people said they
think smoking causes heart disease in
non-smokers, 93% believe it
causes lung cancer and 96% believe smoking
causes lung disease in
children who breathe it.
"We have to encourage Metro Manilans to complain about their exposure to second-hand smoke to smokers nearby," said CHD-MM Director Irma Asuncion, MD. She added, "We are very pleased to be working with World Lung Foundation on this survey and on other measures that can deliver a clear message that second-hand smoke is deadly."
Desire for smoke-free
jurisdictions
According to the research, a large majority of
smokers and non-smokers
in Metro Manila want smoke-free schools (78%),
hospitals (77%) and
public transportation (69%), according to the
survey. Approximately
60% of non-smokers have expressed interest in
smoke-free workplaces and
more than half of all people surveyed think it
should be forbidden to
smoke in all public places.
"The amount of second-hand smoke exposure citizens of Metro Manila face is alarming and there is a clear majority that wants more smoke-free places," said Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation. "We commend Center for Health Development – Metro Manila for helping to bring this message to the public and to policy makers."
About the survey
1,000 adults, ages 18 to 55, were sampled and
interviewed with
respondents across all soci-economic classes
and from all 17 local
government units. Door-to-door interviews were
conducted between
January 29 and February 26, 2009. The research
was commissioned by
CHD-MM and WLF, and was executed by IPSOS
Philippines, Inc. Additional
results will be released as the data continues
to be analyzed.
About World Lung Foundation
World Lung Foundation was established in response to the global epidemic of lung disease, which kills 10 million people each year. The organization improves global lung health by improving local capacity to conduct research, develop public policy and deliver public health education. The organization's areas of emphasis are tobacco control, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, asthma, and child lung health. For more information, please visit worldlungfoundation.org