The Department of Health has urgently requested mayors to get rid of all outdoor tobacco advertisements, in compliance with the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.

Officials said in a press conference that local government units are mandated and as such in the best position to strictly enforce the ban on outdoor advertisements of cigarettes.
The DoH and the tobacco firms are at odds as to the correct interpretation of the provision pertaining to outdoor ads. Alexander Padilla, health undersecretary, said the law is clear in its prohibition of outdoor advertising, while tobacco firms contend that the law still allows outdoor ads within the premises of point-of-sale retail establishments, which means that the retail establishment's entire structure and tract of land can accommodate tobacco ads.
The issue is currently being litigated in court through a case filed by Fortune Tobacco and PPMI (in a motion to intervene). The Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 prohibits all cinema and outdoor advertising as of 1 July 2007. In addition, no leaflets, posters nor similar outdoor advertising materials may be posted, except inside the premises of point-of-sale retail establishments. (pi)