Smoking in Philippines
In the Philippines, tobacco smoking remains a significant public health concern. As of 2024, the current prevalence of smoking among adults aged 15 years and older was estimated to be 19.7%, with a notable gender disparity. The current prevalence of smoking was 35.6% among males and 4.2% among females. The total number of smokers was reported to be approximately 16.3 million individuals in 2024. Comparing these figures to earlier data from 2021, the smoking prevalence among males was 33.3%, while among females it was 3.7%. The adult daily smoking prevalence in 2021 was 14.5%, with a prevalence of 26.3% among males and 2.6% among females. Furthermore, smoking-related mortalities remain a critical public health issue. In 2021, 88,169 deaths were attributed to smoking, accounting for 10% of all deaths in the country in that year. The gender-specific data indicate that smoking-related deaths comprised 13.34% of all male deaths and 5.26% of all female deaths in 2021. These statistics underscore the urgent need for effective public health interventions to address the high smoking rates and associated health consequences in the Philippines.
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August 23, 2022 by inquirer.net
Scientific group supports ‘anti-smoking’ Vape Law
A respected scientific research and advocacy group welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which it described as a major anti-smoking regulation that will provide Filipino smokers access to regulated less harmful alternatives.
“The Harm Reduction Alliance of the Philippines (HARAP) applauds the passage of the new ‘anti-smoking’ Vape Law. This development affirms the sound and real science behind tobacco harm reduction (THR) which countries like the U.K., Japan and New Zealand have accepted and implemented,” said Prof. Ron Christian G. Sison, lead convenor of HARAP.
August 23, 2022 by tobaccoreporter.com
Activists Laud Philippines’ New Vaping Law
Vaping activists have praised the Philippines for enacting progressive e-cigarette legislation.
On July 25, legislation took effect that lowers the purchase age for e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products, removes a two-flavor limit on e-liquids and allows vaping sponsorships beyond industry associations and trade events.
“Enacting some of the most progressive vaping legislation in Asia-Pacific now makes the Philippines an international leader in effective tobacco harm reduction,” said Nancy Loucas, [...]
August 05, 2022 by philstar.com
Clearing the air
If not regulated, vape or vaporized nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, would proliferate, especially through illicit means among Filipino minors. Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, previously deputy House speaker during the 18th Congress, echoed this warning amid the renewed debate over the newly enacted Vape bill.
The Congressman-turned Mayor took up the cudgels for Republic Act (RA) 11900, otherwise known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, Vape law, for short. [...]
August 04, 2022 by manilatimes.net
Vape Law to reduce deaths from smoking – health experts
HEALTH experts believe that the Vape law will help reduce serious diseases and deaths caused by smoking in the Philippines where there are more than 16 million smokers.
"Simply put, smoking kills and I think no one will dispute that our government should do everything it can to stop this—including the passage of this landmark anti-smoking vape law," Dr. Arleen Reyes, former president of the Philippine Dental Association and chairman of the Scientific Committee for the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, said in a statement.
"Smoking is our biggest enemy because it is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the country," Reyes said.
August 02, 2022 by inquirer.net
Vape law expected to reduce smoking prevalence in PH — medical experts
The implementation of the landmark “anti-smoking” vape law will significantly cut down the high smoking rate in the Philippines and help reduce the health risks faced by more than 16 million Filipino smokers, according to top medical specialists.
Dr. Rafael Castillo, past president of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) and the only Filipino doctor who sits in the board of trustee of the UK-based International Society of Hypertension, said the enactment of Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, will address the country’s smoking problem.
August 01, 2022 by vaping360.com
Philippines: Pro-Consumer Vaping Bill Becomes Law
The Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act overwhelmingly (19-2) passed the Philippines Senate in January, and was quickly reconciled with a version passed earlier by the House of Representatives. Since then, the bill has been the subject of intense debate, with major lobbying efforts by groups both in support and opposition to the law.
After the bill was transmitted to then-President Rodrigo Duterte on June 24, Filipino newspapers were filled with stories about efforts to persuade Duterte, and then his successor Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to sign or veto the bill. The presidents had 30 days from receiving the bill to sign or veto. Neither took any action, so the bill “lapsed” into law on July 25. [...]
July 26, 2022 by dailyexpress.com.my
Philippines Vape Bill receives strong support
The Vape Bill received strong support from key executive departments, as it will regulate smoke-free products in the country, provide more than 16 million Filipino adult smokers with less harmful alternatives and protect minors.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said “it fully supports the regulation of vaporised nicotine and non-nicotine products and other novel tobacco products (vape products.)”
“Vape products can be utilised as an alternative or a helpful means to transition from consuming conventional tobacco products to less harmful tobacco products,” former DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said [...]
July 21, 2022 by manilatimes.net
Doctors, scientists ask Marcos to sign vape bill
AGROUP of doctors and scientific experts urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to sign the Vape Bill into law to address the smoking epidemic that affects over 16 million Filipinos.
In a letter addressed to the President through Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez on July 8, the group, which included health care professionals, academicians and researchers, called for the enactment of the Vape Bill to be the first comprehensive law to regulate vapor products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
June 09, 2022 by panaynews.net
To vape or not to vape
THE Child Rights Network (CRN) reiterates its position that the Vape Bill essentially relaxes regulations on the sale, distribution, use, and promotion of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes, and vaporized nicotine products (VNPs), giving the tobacco industry a free pass to reach even children.
Sponsors of the bill parrot the tobacco industry’s line that the Vape Bill seeks to strengthen regulations to discourage minors from using cigarette alternatives. This is far from the truth.
June 08, 2022 by philstar.com
Medical groups renew call for veto of vape bill
Medical groups renewed their appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to veto a proposed measure seeking to lower the age of access to vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products to 18 from 21.
In a briefing Wednesday, doctors from various medical societies stressed that lowering the age of access to vapor products will expose Filipinos, especially the youth, to harmful substances. Dr. Minerva Calimag, president of the Philippine Medical Association, said [...]
“We oppose the vape bill because we cannot risk endangering the health and safety of Filipinos, especially the youth,” [...]