Republic of the Philippines f
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1 201
Quezon City, Philippines 3 1 wut 2013

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS [ae
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__2121

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to improve the existing health warnings on cigarette packaging. As
the said warnings promote health awareness to cigarette smokers, the objective of this
measure is to instill environmental awareness by adding another label in cigarette
packages informing the consumer to dispose the cigarette litter properly, like other
garbage such as plastic candy wrappers.

Article 11 Section 16 of the Constitution provides:

“Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

Thus, immediate passage of this bill is hereby sought.

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO
Representative
1° District, City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILLNO.__2121

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT

AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9211 OR “THE TOBACCO REGULATION ACT OF

2003,” SECTION 13, ON WARNING ON CIGARETTE PACKAGES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 13 of The Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 is hereby further
amended to read as follows:

"Section 13. Warnings on Cigarette Packages. — Under this Act:

a) All packages in which tobacco products are provided to consumers
withdrawn from the manufacturing facility of all manufacturers or imported
into the Philippines intended for sale to the market, starting 1 January 2004,
shall be printed, in either English or Filipino, on a rotating basis or separately
and simultaneously, the following health warnings:

"GOVERNMENT WARNING: Cigarette Smoking is Dangerous to your
Health”

"GOVERNMENT WARNING: Cigarettes are Addictive"
"GOVERNMENT WARNING: Tobacco Smoke Can Harm your Children" or
"GOVERNMENT WARNING: Smoking Kills"

b) Upon effectivity of this Act until 30 June 2006, the heath waming shall be
located on the side panel of every tobacco product package and occupy not
less than fifty percent (50%) of such side panel including any border or
frame.

©) Beginning 1 July 2006, the health waming shall be located on the bottom
portion of one (1) front panel of every tobacco product package and occupy
not less than thirty percent (30%) of such front panel including any border or
frame.

d) The wamings shall be rotated periodically, or separately and simultaneously
printed, so that within any twenty-four (24) month period, the four (4)
variations of the warnings shall appear with proportionate frequency.

) The warning shall not be hidden or obscured by other printed information or
images, or printed in a location where tax or fiscal stamps are likely to be
applied to the package or place in a location where it will be damaged when
the package is opened. If the waming to be printed on the packages is likely
to be obscured or obliterated by a wrapper on the package, the waming
must be printed on both the wrapper and the package.


f)_ In addition to the Health Warning, all packages of tobacco products that are
provided to consumers shall contain on one side panel, the following
statement in a clear, legible and conspicuous manner. "NO SALE TO
MINORS” or “NOT FOR SALE TO MINORS.” The statement shall occupy an
area of not less than ten percent 10% of such side panel and shall appear in
contrast by color, typography or layout with all the other printed material on
the side panel.

IN ADDITION TO THE HEALTH WARNING AND THE MESSAGE
REQUIRED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH, ALL PACKAGES OF
TOBACCO PRODUCTS THAT ARE PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS SHALL
CONTAIN, ON THE SIDE PANEL OPPOSITE OF WHICH THAT
CONTAINS THE MESSAGE REQUIRED IN THE PRECEDING
PARAGRAPH, THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IN A CLEAR, LEGIBLE
AND CONSPICUOUS MANNER: “PLEASE DISPOSE OF ALL CIGARETTE
WASTE PROPERLY. DO NOT LITTER.” THE STATEMENT SHALL
OCCUPY AN AREA AND APPEAR AS THE MESSAGE IN THE
PRECEDING PARAGRAPH.

8)

h)

No other printed warnings, except the health waming and the MESSAGES
required in this Section, PARAGRAPHS (F) AND (G), shall be placed on
cigarette packages.”

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or any part hereof shall be
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions, as far as they are separable,
shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clau:

— All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts

thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4, Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,