Philippines urged to prioritize health over trade at global tobacco control talks

MANILA, Philippines — Health advocates and former government officials called on the Philippines to take a strong stand against e-cigarettes and vape products, citing the alarming rise in their use among Filipino youth. 

Delegates from around the world gather in Panama this week for the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

In a joint statement, the former senior government officials urged the Philippine delegation to the global conference to “take the lead in pushing for, supporting, and promoting policies preventing the uptake of all recreational tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, to protect present and future generations from the devastating harms of tobacco use and nicotine addiction.” 

It was signed by former Health secretaries Jaime Tan, Carmencita Reodica, Manuel Dayrit, Esperanza Cabra and Paulyn Ubial as well as undersecretaries Alexander Padilla, Susan Mercado and Madeline Valera. 

Former Education chief Armin Luistro and undersecretary Alberto Muyot also signed the appeal.

Vaping has gained popularity among teenagers and young adults in the Philippines. A 2019 survey revealed that 14%, or one in every seven Filipino youth aged 13 to 15, were already using e-cigarettes. 

The Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which allows individuals as young as 18 years old to purchase vaping products, lapsed into law in 2022. Health and child rights organizations warned it would make e-cigarettes more accessible to young people.

The law also loosened the existing flavor restrictions and transferred regulatory authority to the Department of Trade and Industry from the Food and Drug Administration.

‘Vapes are not harmless’

Action on Smoking and Health Philippines executive director Maricar Limpin also called on the government delegation “to protect the health of Filipinos and put a premium on it over trade.” 

“We are now seeing people coming to us short of breath or having difficulty in breathing within just six months to one year of vaping. We are scared of the other effects that we might see like cancer, heart and brain attacks from long-term use,” Limpin said.

“The tobacco industry's narrative that these products promote quitting or reduce harm is false. Let's be clear: e-cigarettes are not harmless nor are they safer,” she added. 

The Philippines was one of the countries that deteriorated in their efforts to protect their health policies from the interference of the tobacco industry, according to a 2023 survey.

The government delegation to the tobacco control talks in 2010 and 2021 received the “Dirty Ashtray” award due to statements inclined to favor the tobacco industry. 

The former government officials demanded that COP10 delegates be transparent about how weak regulations have fueled a rise in vape use.

“The delegation should speak rather than hide, whitewash, or disguise the truth of the serious threat to public health brought about by weak Philippine regulation on e-cigarettes,” they said. 

The Philippine delegation at the last global conference on tobacco control drew criticism for including government officials with a history of promoting e-cigarettes as effective and less harmful.