The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently acknowledged Senator Pia Cayetano for her efforts in advocating tobacco control and laws and programs and projects that go against smoking, vapes, and other tobacco products.
On Thursday, May 25, Cayetano was named by WHO as one of this year’s recipients of the prestigious World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) awards.
“Senator Cayetano has long been a leader and advocate for strengthening tobacco control efforts in the Philippines. The senator’s work has focused on preserving the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration and reducing the affordability and accessibility (for youths) of tobacco products,” the WHO said in a press release.
The WHO announced this year's WNTD award recipients just days before the WNTD ceremony on May 31, and while Senator Cayetano was attending the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
In a Facebook post, the Department of Health (DOH) welcomed WHO’s acknowledgment.
“The Department of Health congratulates Sen. Pia Cayetano for being honored as one of the recent World No Tobacco Day Awards 2023 by the World Health Organization,” the DOH said.
"The WHO grants such acknowledgments worldwide, aiming to eliminate tobacco use and encourage healthier lifestyles across the globe," it added.
Health advocates including the non-governmental organization Health Justice and Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) Executive Director Dr. Yul Dorotheo congratulated the Senator.
"Congratulations Senator @piacayetano karangalan po namin sa HealthJustice Philippines at Civil Society Organizations na makasama kayo sa iba't ibang adbokasiya ng #TobaccoControl," Health Justice said in its tweet.
"Salamat po sa paglaban sa kalusugan ng mamamayang Pilipino lalo na sa mga Kabataan!" it added.
Congratulations Senator @piacayetano
— HealthJustice (@HealthJusticePH) May 27, 2023
karangalan po namin sa HealthJustice Philippines at Civil Society Organizations na makasama kayo sa iba't ibang adbokasiya ng #TobaccoControl
Salamat po sa paglaban sa kalusugan ng mamamayang Pilipino lalo na sa mga Kabataan! pic.twitter.com/VPKO3EM0i2
Dorotheo also congratulated Cayetano in his Twitter post and said, “Congratulations to Sen. @piacayetano for receiving this year's World No Tobacco Day Award. Much deserved for her contributions to tobacco control and struggle against the tobacco industry.”
Congratulations to Sen. @piacayetano for receiving this year's World No Tobacco Day Award. Much deserved for her contributions to tobacco control and struggle against the tobacco industry. https://t.co/PIeRxYGBxc
— Yul Dorotheo MD (@YulDorotheo) May 26, 2023
To recall, in 2014, Cayetano principally authored the Graphic Health Warning (GHW) law which required the printing of picture-based health warnings on the packaging of cigarettes and tobacco products.
Written By Dana Ebreo, DZRH News Online Intern
