MANILA, Philippines?Tobacco control advocates have called on the country?s legislators to speed up passage of more stringent anti-smoking laws.

Framework Convention Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) renewed its appeal on Sunday, World No Tobacco Day.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, FCAP executive director, said the tobacco industry had been very active in its campaign to delay the passage of laws mandating that picture-based health warnings be printed on all tobacco products.

Graphic warnings showing the ill-effects of smoking, such as photographs of severely damaged lungs or a malnourished baby, on cigarette packs have been found to be among the more effective ways of curbing tobacco use, Limpin said.

The group also took to task legislators who, they said, were blocking the passage of the bill because of the strong tobacco lobby.

?Tobacco firms have been claiming that picture-based warnings are not really effective. If they are not effective, then why are they opposing it?? Limpin said.