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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 2014)
ASIA / PACIFIC August 4, 2014 Smoking Philippine leader OKs cigarette warnings By Jim Gomez The Associated Press ANILA, The Philippines — Philippine Presi- dent Benigno Aquino III, a known smoker, has signed a law requiring tobacco companies to put graphic health warnings on cigarette packs in a country where tens of thousands of people die every year from tobacco-linked diseases, according to an official. Aquino signed the law “to effectively instill health consciousness through graphic health warnings on tobacco products,” presi- dential spokesman Her- minio Coloma Jr. said. With the law, the Philip- pines joins more than 40 other nations and terri- tories that have adopted similar regulations and brought the battle against smoking to the cover of cigarette packs. Research has suggested that the scary warnings have prompted some to quit smoking, but the World Health Organiza- tion estimates that nearly 6 million people continue to die globally each year from smoking-related causes. The tobacco industry has fought government efforts to introduce or increase the size of graphic warnings in some countries. The Philippine law was not immediately made public, but legislation ap- proved by lawmakers in June required 50 percent of the bottom of cigarette packs, front and back, to be covered by graphic pictures q M McDonald’s Japan to strengthen checks on chicken Continued from page 2 chicken sandwiches, a change that is likely to re- duce sales, McDonald’s said. It said the cost of efforts to win back the trust of customers will also erode earnings. In February, the com- pany forecast 6 billion yen ($59 million) in profit on 250 billion yen ($2.5 billion) of sales. It did not give a new projection for the fiscal year through December 31, but said it will do so as soon as possible. It promised to disclose information online about where its food comes from. McDonald’s said it will strengthen safety checks on suppliers it’s still using in China, for apple pies, muffins, and cookies, as well as its Thai chicken supplier. Such checks will be extended to food items in Japan, the company said. HYPOCRITICAL SIGNATURE. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III interacts with guests following his address to the nation in a live broadcast from the Presidential Palace in Manila, the Philippines, in this July 14, 2014 file photo. The Philippine president, a known smoker, has signed a law that requires tobacco companies to put graphic health warn- ings on cigarette packs in a country where tens of thousands of people die every year from tobacco-linked diseases. President Aquino’s spokes- man, Herminio Coloma Jr., said the Philippine leader signed the law “to effectively instill health consciousness through graphic health warnings on tobacco products.” (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez, File) A recent Department of Health-commissioned sur- vey indicated that the law helped reduce smoking among the poor and young people. Philippine health offi- cials said in 2012 that 17.3 million of the country’s 96 million people smoke — one of Southeast Asia’s highest rates — and that 87,000 die each year from tobacco-related diseases. Aquino has been criticized by anti-tobacco advocates for refusing calls to give up the habit. After winning the presidency in 2010, he said he discussed his smoking habit in one of his first telephone conver- sations with President Barack Obama, who told him then that he had kicked the habit. “Mr. President, I understand we have the same issue with smoking,” Aquino said he told Obama at the time. “He said, ‘Well, I quit that already. I have quit. It’s your sole problem. At the time that you decide to quit, I’ll send the advice.’” and illustrations of smok- ing hazards such as dam- aged lungs and throats. Anti-tobacco advocates welcomed the law rather cautiously. Emer Rojas, a laryngeal cancer survivor who heads an anti-tobacco group in the Philippines, said the law would discourage would-be smokers and reduce tobacco consump- tion, but added it was a compromise that also ac- commodated the concerns of tobacco companies. “It’s like seeing poison on a pack,” Rojas said. “This will save many from smoking, especially the young.” He called for vigilance, saying there were provi- sions in the law that may allow tobacco companies to interfere in the law’s enforcement. The Philippines is a tobacco producer and smoking haven, with one of Asia’s highest smoking rates. It had some of the lowest prices for tobacco products before a “sin tax” law took effect last year. q Hakuho wins 30th title at Nagoya sumo tournament NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Grand champion Hakuho defeated his Mongolian compatriot, Harumafuji, at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament to win his 30th career title, edging closer to the all-time championship record in Japan’s ancient sport. Hakuho was pushed back to the edge by fellow grand champion Haru- mafuji in the final bout of the 15-day tournament, but finally got a grip on Harumafuji’s belt and hauled his opponent down to improve to 13-2 for the event. The 29-year-old Hakuho is now just two behind the record of 32 championships held by former grand champion Taiho. Chiyono- fuji is second on the list with 31. Harumafuji gave Haku- ho a serious challenge but couldn’t finish off his opponent and closed out the tournament with a 10-5 record. Photo on page one THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Surgeons in India remove 232 “teeth” from teen MUMBAI, India (AP) — Dental surgeons in India’s largest city say they have removed 232 small “tooth- like structures” from the mouth of a teenage boy with a rare medical condi- tion. They said the 17-year- old from a small village in western India had been suffering from jaw pain and swelling for more than 18 months. Surgeon Dr. Vandana Thoravade said Ashik Gavai suffered complex odontoma, a rare condition in which a tumor grows under a gum and creates smaller tooth-like growths called denticles. “We are very happy, while operating, we were removing one after another denticles and passing on to the medical staff to keep, but when surgery was over and when we spread the denticles and started counting ... while doing the surgery we were unaware that (there were) so many, so many, so many denti- cles.” ASTHMA IS ON THE RISE. Help us find a cure. 1-800-LUNG-USA DENTICLE DISCOMFORT. Ashik Gavai, 17, sits near 232 tooth-like structures removed from his jaw after undergoing surgery in Mumbai, India. Dental surgeons in India’s largest city say they removed 232 small “tooth-like structures” from the mouth of the teenage boy with a rare medical condition called complex odontoma. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade) He said the team of how many they totalled dental surgeons took seven when counted up and hours to remove all the believe it may be the most denticles in the operation. ever in a case of odontoma. The teen is recovering. They were surprised at New Owners Newly remodeled All new equipment. Belmont Eco Laundry has large capacity washers and dryers, perfect for those comforters, sleeping bags, big family loads, work clothes, and more! You’ll get your laundry done in record time, leaving you time to spend with family and friends. Visit us at Belmontecolaundry.com for more details. 4725 SE Belmont St. Open daily 8 to 10
