BDH Observes World Tobacco Day
By: Melanie Holt Photo By: GPC-BDH Date: May 31, 2019
CERTIFIED TOBACCO-FREE. In celebration of World No Tobacco Day, three Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) personnel have been awarded with Certificates of Achievement for the completion of smoking cessation counselling sessions conducted by the Tobacco-Smoking Cessation and Control Committee, and for being certified tobacco-free during a recognition program on May 31, 2019. Along with them, another three BDH personnel pledge to stop smoking beginning on dates specified on their pledge cards. BDH received a Red Orchid Award last 2017 in recognition of the hospital’s efforts to end tobacco smoking in its premises and among its personnel.
Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) led by Dr. Zenserly Pagaduan celebrated World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) by awarding three BDH personnel with Certificates of Achievement for the completion of smoking cessation counselling sessions and for being certified tobacco-free during a recognition program on May 31, 2019 in Bacnotan, La Union. Along with the awardees, another three BDH personnel pledged to stop smoking beginning on dates specified on their pledge cards.
BDH received a Red Orchid Award last 2017 in recognition of the hospital’s efforts to end tobacco-smoking in its premises and among its personnel. Since last year, six employees quit smoking and were certified tobacco-free.
The recognition ceremony was conducted by the Tobacco-Smoking Cessation and Control Committee chaired by Dr. Ardilyn Nuval. In a testimonial, one of the awardees said, “I stopped smoking because I have experienced its bad effects on my health and it also harms my family.”
In the United States of America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that cigarette-smoking harms nearly every organ of the body; and quitting smoking lowers the risk for smoking-related diseases adding years to your life.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. Furthermore, more than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
The focus of WNTD 2019 is on tobacco and lung health. According to WHO, the campaign increases awareness on the negative impact tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease; and the fundamental role lungs play for the health and well-being of all people.
The Department of Health’s (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2009-0010: Rules and Regulations Promoting a 100% Smoke Free Environment became the basis of the Red Orchid Award (ROA) in 2009. It called for the absolute smoking ban in DOH offices, hospitals and attached agencies, government offices. It also encouraged Local Government Units to do the same in their health facilities and other public places. The winners were judged based on the strength of their comprehensive efforts to implement the 100% smoke-free environments. The scores for all indicators became the basis for the color of the orchid each nominee will receive. #
