The Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) formally opens its smoking cessation clinic with a ribbon cutting, led by (from left) Dr. Glynna Ong-Cabrera, program director, Smoking Cessation Program and National Quitline; Chie Mabolos, dietitian, LCP Nutrition Clinic; Dr. Vincent Balanag, executive director, LCP; Dr. Enrique Tayag, director, Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service, Department of Health; and Dr. Erwin Benedicto, head, Medical Affairs, Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) Inc. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
THE country has made progress on tobacco control in recent years, but there were still millions of Filipinos who continued to smoke with over 80,000 reported deaths due to tobacco-related diseases annually.