Philippines: Warnings on the rise in tobacco and vaping consumption

In recent weeks, several warning signs have been raised in the Philippines regarding a worrying rise in tobacco and vaping product use, particularly among young adults. Health authorities, government officials, and civil society organizations are increasing their calls for vigilance.

Furthermore, the growing consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and vaping products among young Filipinos has prompted health experts to call on senatorial candidates to actively engage in the fight against these harmful products, which are often promoted directly to young people through aggressive marketing strategies.

A worrying health situation

The Department of Health (DOH) has expressed concern about a significant increase in tobacco and e-cigarette use among adults, with prevalence increasing from 19.1% in 2021 to 24.4% in 2023.[1]This dynamic is all the more worrying as it occurs in a country already facing a significant burden of non-communicable diseases, which are responsible for the majority of deaths. The DOH points out that the three leading causes of death in the Philippines—cardiovascular disease, cancer, and stroke—are all closely linked to tobacco use. Increasing the use of tobacco products and nicotine can therefore only exacerbate health inequalities and increase costs for the public health system.

This worrying increase is also observed among younger people. According to the latest Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), 14.1% of Filipino students aged 13 to 15 use e-cigarettes and 12.5% use traditional tobacco.[2].

A flourishing smuggling business and a deliberate targeting of young people

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently sounded the alarm over the proliferation of contraband vaping products, highlighting the easy availability of these devices, which are often sold outside of any regulatory framework and lack health controls.[3]These products, which come out of the manufacturers' factories, have attractive packaging; they are offered in sweet flavors and are designed to appeal to teenagers. They illustrate a deliberate strategy of targeting young audiences.

The Head of State strongly condemned these practices and pledged to strengthen border controls, while taking concrete measures to limit the importation, distribution, and sale of these illicit products. This political mobilization comes at a time when health authorities are facing increasing difficulties in curbing the widespread distribution of these devices, both in physical points of sale and on digital platforms.

The vaping industry's targeting of young users undermines prevention efforts in the country and increases the risk of normalizing nicotine use from adolescence. This situation exposes a new generation to the risk of early addiction, with lasting repercussions for public health.

Tobacco and the environment, an often underestimated problem

The environmental dimension of tobacco and vaping remains insufficiently considered in public debate. However, as ASH Philippines and EcoWaste Coalition have pointed out, the waste generated by these products represents a tangible threat to the environment.[4].

Cigarette butts are the most common form of plastic waste in the world. As for vaping devices, especially disposable models, they pose serious management challenges: composed of plastics, lithium batteries, and chemical residues, they are not recyclable in conventional recycling channels and most often end up in landfills or natural environments.

This pollution, often invisible but massive, poses a growing challenge for local communities in the Philippines, which are poorly equipped to collect and process these products. It reinforces the urgency of a comprehensive environmental approach, NGOs point out.

A civil society mobilized against a still influential industry

In this context, Philippine civil society actors are stepping up their efforts to pressure the authorities. ASH Philippines and other organizations are advocating for a gradual ban on tobacco and vaping products, arguing that no credible public health policy can coexist with the marketing of products that cause such a health and environmental burden.

Vigilance against tobacco industry influence is another key issue. The DOH recently reaffirmed its decision to systematically refuse any form of donation, partnership, or support from the tobacco industry, in accordance with Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), to which the country is a party. This decision is part of a clear desire to preserve the independence of public health policies in the face of industry attempts at interference and standardization, particularly through sponsorship or social responsibility initiatives.

The Department of Health's statement comes days after the Marcos administration was criticized by anti-tobacco groups for accepting donations from the tobacco industry. In particular, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) accepted four mobile clinics offered by PMI through the Office of the First Lady last September. The Department of Health was also present at the ceremony held in Malacañang.[5].

The DOH emphasized that accepting such contributions, even indirectly, violates the state's international commitments and undermines the credibility of prevention measures. These one-off contributions do not address the needs of the health system and undermine the strong and effective health policies that tobacco companies are thus trying to block. The Department of Health's position was welcomed by civil society organizations, who see it as a crucial step in combating the tobacco industry's persistent influence in public policymaking.

©Generation Without Tobacco

AE

[1] Gabriela Baron, DoH sounds alarm on rising tobacco use, Daily Tribune, published April 5, 2025, accessed April 7, 2025

[2] Tobacco-free generation, Philippines: Senate candidates urged to act on youth tobacco use, vaping, published March 11, 2025, accessed April 7, 2025

[3] Darryl John Esguerra, Marcos leads destruction of P3.2-B smuggled vapes, vows more seizures, Philippines News Agency, published April 7, 2025, accessed the same day

[4] Gabriela Baron, ASH and EcoWaste Coalition: Cigarette butts and used e-smoking devices not recyclable, Mindanao Times, published April 6, 2025, accessed April 7, 2025

[5] Tobacco-free generation, Philippines: Government accepts Philip Morris mobile clinic donation, published September 6, 2024, accessed April 7, 2025