Last September 24, a group of university students and health advocates authored an online signature petition aimed at safeguarding teenagers from deceptive cigarette advertising that package smoking as ‘fun and cool’—when smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world.
Research show that tobacco companies intentionally target children as young as 13, because once hooked they could be steady customers for years; 90% of adult smokers today started as teens or younger.
Led by a 21-year old University of the Philippines student, the online petition, posted at Change.org (change.org/timesuptobacco), is a direct shout-out to UAAP athletes urging them to take the lead in a youth awareness campaign to expose the dangers of smoking and reject any form of youth-targeted marketing.
Over 7,300 people signed the online petition, and UAAP stars responded. Arnold Van Opstal, Von Pessumal, Nico Elorde, Mikee Reyes, EJ Laure, Ryan Monteclaro, and many others are now at the forefront warning teenagers not to be misled and to never light a cigarette. Their popularity puts them in the best position to raise awareness.