Philippines: Health warnings on heated tobacco and vaping products

The Philippine government ordered on 1^er December 2020 to manufacturers, importers and sellers of vaping and heated tobacco products to affix graphic health warnings on their packaging within 18 months[1]. The sale of these products is now restricted to persons over 21 years of age.

End of August 2020[2], the House of Trade and Industry and Health Committees had adopted a bill that would regulate the manufacture, distribution, promotion and use of vaping products and heated tobacco. The "Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act 2020" sets out the principles relating to the importation and production of new nicotine-delivering products. It limits their advertising, sets a minimum age of sale and plans to impose health warnings on packaging, similar to those used for conventional cigarettes.

The sale and distribution of the products will be prohibited within 100 meters of schools, playgrounds or any other facility frequented by minors.

Heated tobacco products make breakthrough in the Philippines

Heated tobacco products entered the Philippine market in 2020. The local subsidiary of Philip Morris International (PMI) opened four first stores of its heated tobacco brand in Metro Manila in September of this year[3]. More recently, China Tobacco launched its new heated tobacco product in the Philippines, MOK, a more direct competitor to Philip Morris at more affordable prices. Since its launch, the Chinese brand has significantly strengthened its presence in the capital, opening numerous kiosks in shopping malls and in several popular supermarket chains, as well as in electronics stores.[4].

Low- and middle-income countries represent a key challenge for tobacco companies because they are currently home to more 80% of the world's smokers. The tobacco industry claims to want to market these new products only to current smokers, presenting them as less toxic. However, internal industry documents clearly show that tobacco companies are deliberately targeting non-smokers, especially young people. They are the primary targets of aggressive marketing by tobacco companies. Manufacturers are also adapting their communication to women because their future depends on capturing all these new consumer markets.[5].

Keywords: Philippines, Heated tobacco, health warnings

©Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] Gov't wants graphic health warnings on vaping, heated tobacco products, Business World, December 1, 2020, accessed December 9, 2020[2] Joint House committees approve e-cigs and heated tobacco bill, Manilla Bulletin, August 27, 2020, accessed December 9, 2020[3] Tobacco Free Generation, Philippines. Philip Morris Front Group Interferes in Anti-Smoking Campaign, November 24, 2020, accessed December 9, 2020[4] China's MOK optimistic on PH operations, market, Manila Times, November 3, 2020, accessed December 9, 2020[5] Gilmore, Anna B et al. “Exposing and addressing tobacco industry conduct in low-income and middle-income countries.” Lancet (London, England) flight. 385.9972 (2015): 1029-43. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60312-9National Committee Against Smoking |