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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September 01, 2021 by businessmirror.com.ph
Experts warn that vaping is hazardous to your health
If you want to quit smoking, vaping is not the best option.
This was stressed by HealthJustice Philippines, a non-government organization, that expressed alarm over the pending Senate Bill 2239 titled “An Act Regulating the Importation, Manufacture, Sale, Packaging, Distribution, Use, And Communication of Vapor Products and Heated Tobacco Products [HTPs],” or commonly known as the Vape Bill, which would encourage people, especially the youth to try vaping.
August 19, 2021 by thesundaily.my
Vape to curb smoking
THERE is a growing belief that the traditional “Quit or Die” public health approach to getting smokers to kick the habit is ineffective, and should be abandoned in favour of less harmful cigarette alternatives like vaping.
This view is echoed by Dr Lorenzo Mata Jr, the president of the Phillippines-based advocacy group Quit for Good. In a speech at the Asia Harm Reduction Forum 2021, Mata said the reality is that there are smokers who just do not want to quit.
He said the best approach is to enable them to switch to safer alternatives like vaping to substantially reduce the risk of death and diseases caused by smoking.
June 13, 2021 by manilatimes.net
1M Filipino smokers switch to 'safer' alternatives
ABOUT 1 million Filipinos have switched to smoke-free alternatives, according to an executive of PMFTC Inc., the local affiliate of Philip Morris International, prompting the company to further push technological innovation for a "smoke-free future."
Dr. Victor Joseph Yamat, PMFTC Scientific Affairs manager, said there are 16 million smokers in the Philippines and 1 million have made the shift from traditional smoking to "safer alternatives."
May 25, 2021 by abs-cbn.com
House passes bill on e-cigarettes, vapes amid concerns over provisions
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading House Bill 9007 or the proposed Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Act covering electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco systems.
According to the congressional fact sheet based on a committee report, the bill seeks to regulate the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, use, advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
It also aims to set up harm reduction measures by ensuring that non-combustible alternatives to cigarettes are properly regulated.
May 21, 2021 by inquirer.net
House OKs bill seeking to regulate electronic cigarettes
The House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill that seeks to regulate the use, manufacture, sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes.
During Wednesday’s session, the chamber approved House Bill No. 9007 or the “Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act.” One of the primary provisions of the bill is that people purchasing, selling, and using electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems, as well as heated tobacco products, must be at least 18 years old.
April 15, 2021 by manilatimes.net
Dental group clarifies stand on e-cigarettes
The Philippine College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (PCOMS), one of the biggest groups of dental professionals in the country, said that it respects the stance of some members who urged smokers to switch to non-combustible alternatives.
Dr. Fernando Fernandez, a member and former president of the group, spoke [...] that if patients cannot quit, they should shift to a “non-combustible nicotine delivery system.”
“We are convincing our patients to stop smoking. But if our patients cannot quit, we advise them to at least consider shifting to a non-combustible nicotine delivery system, [...]
March 29, 2021 by vapingpost.com
Indonesian Medical Expert: Health Warnings For E-Cigs Should be Different
“Health warnings on combustible cigarette packs should not be the same as those on the packaging of e-cigarettes and HTPs (heated tobacco products). This is because e-cigarettes and HTPs have been shown to be 90- to 95-percent less harmful than combustible cigarettes,” said Pangestu [...]
The measures stated in Republic Acts 11346 and 11467 mandate that the Department of Health issues health warning templates for HTPs and vaping products. In line with arguments by other public health experts, Pangestu said that the health warnings should be “proportionate to the risk of smoke-free products.”
February 11, 2021 by philstar.com
PECIA welcomes opportunity to provide inputs on proposed policy for vapor products
The Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), which counts around 200 active members that comprise major players in the local e-cigarette market, participated in the online consultation conducted by Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) implementing rules and regulations (IRR) covering the provisions of Republic Act Nos. 11346 and 11467.
These laws govern the increase in excise tax on alcohol, tobacco products, heated tobacco products and vapor products. These are important concerns that have substantial impact on the business sector but also on public health, at large.
February 05, 2021 by businessmirror.com.ph
Filipinos want national smoking ban in public places, survey says
More can still be done to ensure the safety of Filipinos when it comes to the harmful effects of smoking and the results of a recent survey may lead policy-makers to the right direction.
According to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia in December 2020, there is overwhelming support for a national smoking ban in all public spaces (93 percent) and in all private spaces frequented by the public (91 percent).
“The survey clearly shows that there is a strong clamor for a smoke-free Philippines. People are more aware now of the health and environmental impacts of smoking, and are more health conscious,” said Atty. Jacky Sarita [...]
December 14, 2020 by manilatimes.net
Health warnings for vapes should be different – expert
Indonesian Professor and medical expert Tikki Pangestu sought a distinction on the health warnings during the second Philippine Harm Reduction Online Forum [...]
“Health warnings on combustible cigarette packs should not be the same as those on the packaging of e-cigarettes and HTPs (heated tobacco products). This is because e-cigarettes and HTPs have been shown to be 90- to 95-percent less harmful than combustible cigarettes,” Pangestu, visiting professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore and former director for research policy and cooperation of the World Health Organization, said.