BY ONLINE BALITA NEWS
The Philippine Smoke-Free Movement (PSFM), a 100-member coalition dedicated to promoting smoke-free and vape-free policies, calls on the government to take a decisive stand against tobacco industry interference to protect our children.
“According to the Department of Health, cigarettes and e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that can cause inflammation, respiratory disease, genetic damage, and cancer. Exposure to such substances at a young age may also weaken the immune system. Despite overwhelming evidence and public opposition to smoking and vaping, the government remains complacent, allowing the tobacco industry to dictate terms and endanger our children,” stated PSFM National Coordinator Rizza Duro.
Duro pointed out the increasing trend of tobacco industry interference in the country, emphasizing the industry’s growing influence in policymaking.
The 2023 Tobacco Industry Interference Index shows a troubling rise in the Philippines’ score from 38 in 2016 to 60 in 2023. The 2023 Asia Regional TII Index ranks the Philippines seventh among countries failing to curb industrialization in Asia, trailing Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, and Laos.
“We’ve seen a glaring failure in policy implementation and the passage of pro-industry legislation, such as the vape regulation law. Laws designed to prevent unnecessary engagements with the tobacco industry, like WHO FCTC 5.3 and CSC-DOH JMC 2010-01, are shamelessly violated. We have failed to stop the industry, failed to protect our children, and left them vulnerable and defenseless,” said Duro.
Duro urged the government to hold public servants accountable for their unnecessary involvement with the tobacco industry and stressed the importance of closing policy gaps and strictly enforcing laws to protect children.
“According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, one in every seven students aged 13-15 uses tobacco products—an age group younger than what is allowed by existing laws. This highlights the industry’s targeted efforts toward our children and youth. Our government needs to move beyond rhetoric and act now. The future of our children depends on our ability to counter tobacco industry influence effectively. We call on the government to establish stronger safeguards for our children. This includes raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products to 21, transferring regulatory authority over vaping products from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), limiting vape flavors to menthol and tobacco, and banning online sales,” said Duro.
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