Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Doctors in the Philippines have been banned from smoking by the country's medical association to make sure they set a good example to their patients, the group said Saturday.
The order by the Philippine Medical Association will also ensure that other people are not affected by a doctor's second-hand smoke, association president Oscar Tinio said in a statement.
"Physicians must be role models on matters of health, whose lives, decorum and personality are highly respected or emulated by all sectors of society - that is why it is highly inappropriate for physicians to be seen smoking," he said.
Spokesman Mike Aragon said that the public was encouraged to report smoking medics to the association.
Asked what would happen to doctors who violate the order, Aragon said a committee would decide that later.
"We will cross the bridge when we reach it," he told AFP.
Tinio was quoted as saying that he personally knew doctors who smoked.
Government statistics show that there are 17.3 million smokers in the Philippines, amounting to about 28 percent of the population aged 15 or older.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino admits he is a smoker, saying he needs the habit to deal with the stress of the job.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments