smoking ban in the philippines essay

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When the smoke is going down! The Philippines’ effective smoking-control campaign

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Dalmacito A Cordero Jr., When the smoke is going down! The Philippines’ effective smoking-control campaign, Journal of Public Health , Volume 46, Issue 1, March 2024, Page e205, https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdad176

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Dear Editor,

In a recent article published in this journal, the authors presented the status of smoking in Indonesia resulting in a serious impact on public health, including the risk of severe respiratory infections. They emphasized that it is imperative to implement comprehensive tobacco control policies to address the problem. 1 I firmly support this call and want to relate a similar situation in the Philippines about smoking and share the initial success of the government in its campaign.

Smoking in the Philippines caused serious health consequences for many years. Over 112 000 Filipinos die from tobacco-related diseases each year and about 23% of male deaths and 10% of female deaths are caused by tobacco. Over 20% of non-communicable disease-related deaths are attributable to tobacco use. 2 Regarding secondhand smoke exposure, an estimated 12.9% of adults, or 2.5 million, were exposed to tobacco smoke in their workplace in 2021. Some 21.8% of adults (16.8 million) were exposed to tobacco smoke inside their homes. Among those who visited public places in the past 30 days, 62.3% reported being exposed to secondhand smoke in bars/clubs, 9.2% in restaurants, and 12.2% in public transportation. 3 With these data, the latest information concerning tobacco use in the country showed significant improvement. Overall, tobacco use decreased from 29.7% in 2009 and 23.8% in 2015 to 19.5% in 2021. A significant decline in male tobacco users was noted from 1 in 2 in 2009 to 1 in 3 in 2021. Female tobacco users also declined from 5 in 50 in 2009 to 2 in 50 in 2021. 3

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• Tobacco Around the World

State of Smoking and Health in Philippines

Tobacco and trends.

• In 2022, an estimated 16.4 million people (14.7 million males and 1.7 million females) aged 15 years and older were tobacco product users in the Philippines. This positions the country as the 15 th globally and the 4 th in the WHO Western Pacific Region in terms of number of tobacco users. 1,2
• In 2021 , 1.5% of people (2.3% males and 0.7% females) aged 15 years and older were current smokeless tobacco users.
• In 2019 , 12.5% of youths (18.3% boys and 6.9% girls) aged 13-15 years were current tobacco users.
• In 2019 , 3.0% of youths (4.3% boys and 1.7% girls) aged 13-15 years were current smokeless tobacco users.
• It is estimated that demand for cigarettes fell by 51.0% from 53.6 packs per capita in 2010 to 26.3 packs per capita in 2022 . ( Euromonitor [accessed November 2023] )

Nicotine Alternatives

• In 2021 , an estimated 2.1% of adults (3.6% males and 0.5% females) aged 15 years and older were current e-cigarette users.
• In 2019 , 14.1% of youths aged 13-15 years (20.9% boys and 7.5% girls) were current e‑cigarette users.

Health and Economic Burden From Tobacco Use

• In 2021 , it was estimated that tobacco was the 4 th highest risk factor driving the most deaths and disability combined in the Philippines.
• Of tobacco-related deaths, 73.0 thousand or 82.8% were due to smoking, and 18.4 thousand or 20.9% were due to secondhand smoke.
• Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 25.5 thousand or 26.4% of all IHD deaths, 15.2 thousand or 22.2% of all Stroke deaths, 8.1 thousand or 81.3% of all Lung Cancer deaths, and 10.7 thousand or 64.3% of all COPD deaths.
• In 2021 , tobacco use caused an estimated loss of 2.8 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which was about 18.8% of total DALYs. Tobacco accounted for 799.0 thousand DALYs for IHD, 500.3 thousand DALYs for Stroke, 213.4 thousand DALYs for Lung Cancer, and 295.1 thousand DALYs for COPD.
• In 2016 , the economic cost of smoking-attributable diseases was estimated at 44.6 billion PHP (858 million USD) for the Philippines.

Regulatory Environment and Economics

Public health commitment.

• The Philippines ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ( FCTC ) in 2005.
• The Philippines adopted graphical health warnings ( GHWs ) on combustible cigarettes (CCs) in 2016, covering 50% of the front and 50% of the back of the packages.

Diverse Tobacco Market

• Product restrictions for e-cigarettes include a maximum nicotine concentration of 65mg/ml.
• GHWs and text health warnings cover 50% of both surfaces for HTPs and e‑cigarettes.

Taxation Policy

• The total tax rate on the retail price of a pack of cigarettes was 50.6% in 2022 .
• In 2023 , HTPs are subject to a specific excise tax at PHP 32.50/pack of 20 sticks, and will be increased by 5% annually starting 2024.
• In 2023 , e-cigarettes are taxed at PHP 60.00/ml of free-base nicotine and PHP 52.00/ml of salt-based nicotine. For both nicotine e-liquid compositions, the rate will increase by 5% annually starting 2024.
• A differential excise tax policy is applied between CCs and HTPs. In 2023, the excise tax for HTPs is PHP 32.50/pack, reflecting a 23.21% share of the retail price of PHP 140.00/pack; the excise value of CCs is PHP 60.00/pack, reflecting a share of 37.50% of the retail price of PHP 160.00/pack.

Smoking and Advertising Bans 3

• Minimal smoking bans with moderate level of compliance, and moderate advertising bans with complete level of compliance were enforced in the Philippines in 2022 .

Age Restrictions

• Tobacco products cannot be sold to individuals younger than 21 years of age, and e-cigarettes cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18 years.

Illicit Cigarette Trade

• Estimated figures indicate that illicit cigarette trade in the Philippines has steadily increased over the years, with 2.6% in 2008, reaching 13.6 % in 2020 and increasing to 15.2% in 2022.

Tobacco Production and Diversification

• Compared to 2010, when the Philippines produced about 40.5 thousand tons of unmanufactured tobacco, there was a 17.8% increase by 2022.
• In 2022, the Philippines utilized approximately 29.1 thousand hectares of land for tobacco cultivation, reflecting a 2.2% decrease compared to 2010. ( FAOSTAT [accessed January 2024] )

[1]  Source:  World Health Organization: Non-age-standardized estimates of current tobacco use, tobacco smoking and cigarette smoking (Tobacco control: Monitor)   [accessed February 2024]

[2]  Source:  The World Bank’s Population Estimates and Projections  [accessed November 2023] Explanation: The estimated number of tobacco users  is calculated by applying the WHO’s estimated percentage of tobacco smokers for 2023 to the World Bank’s projected population figures of the same year  for people aged 15 and older . These figures should be used with caution, as they do not account for the 95% credible interval around the estimate.

[3]  The scopes of both the smoking and advertising bans are defined in alignment with the definition of the  WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023  and scored as follows: complete (at least 90% of population covered), moderate, minimal, weak, and unknown (no data available). The respective compliance level is described on a scale from 0-10 with 3 scoring levels: minimal (0‑2/10), moderate (3-7/10), or complete (8-10/10).

Quick Facts: Philippines

Tobacco use.

Tobacco Use refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 years and over who currently use any tobacco product, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, cigarillos, waterpipes (hookah, shisha), bidis, kretek, heated tobacco products, and all forms of smokeless (oral and nasal) tobacco. This definition excludes products that do not contain tobacco.

Total Population

Cigarette Smoking

Cigarette Smoking  refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 years and over who currently use any type of cigarette, which includes both manufactured and roll-your-own cigarettes, but excludes e-cigarettes.

Additional Info

Country focus.

• Philippines
• Western Pacific Region

Page Details

• Date Added: January 30, 2024
• Last Modified: August 12, 2024

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Tobacco and Health Around the World

Institute for Global Tobacco Control

• News and Events

Evidence from Institute-Led Studies in the Philippines Spurs Calls for Action

Filipino media calls for stronger policy measures based on research conducted by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control

Jared Earley

The body of evidence from multiple Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC) research initiatives conducted in the Philippines has resulted in calls for stronger policy measures by the country’s news outlet of record.  

The timing of the publication—a three-part series in the Philippine Daily Inquirer detailing IGTC’s work examining young consumer perceptions, studying flavor chemicals, and analyzing online marketing and the sale and marketing of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) near Filipino schools—coincided with a request by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa for stricter enforcement of regulations preventing minors from accessing nicotine and tobacco products.  

The first article, “ Flaws in law worsening youth ‘vapedemic’ ” highlighted data from IGTC’s surveillance study of point of sale marketing —which found 2,070 cigarette vendors operating within 100 meters of 276 schools—as proof that current regulations and enforcement are insufficient. Quoted for the story, IGTC assistant scientist Jennifer L. Brown, PhD , said, “Filipino law forbids the sale and advertising of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and HTPs within 100 meters of schools and mandates clear signage about age restrictions. Adhering to these regulations is essential to shield young people from the dangers of tobacco.” 

Part two, “ E-cigarette, vape marketing lures PH youth, ” referenced three different IGTC studies exploring flavors in nicotine and tobacco products: One examined young Filipinos’ perceptions of flavored cigarette packs , in which some focus group participants stated that the products “look[ed] like a candy” and had colorful imagery that would be “appealing to the younger ones.” Another analyzed flavored tobacco products sold in the Philippines to assess the presence, levels and mix of flavor chemicals that can be manipulated by manufacturers to maximize potential consumer appeal. The third studied online marketing of e-cigarettes and HTPs on brand websites in the Philippines, concluding (among other findings) that youth-appealing text and imagery conveying flavors were common across all sites. Individually and collectively, the evidence supplied by these studies supports a strict ban on flavored nicotine and tobacco products as well as restrictions on the use of imagery, descriptors and colors that can connote flavors.  

The Inquirer ’s final installment, “ Tougher measures needed to protect PH youth from ‘vapedemic,’ ” described the limited effectiveness of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (RA11900) due to shortfalls in its enforcement and tobacco industry non-compliance with the law—youth-targeted marketing being one prominent example. 

“There is ample evidence showing that tobacco companies employ various strategies to promote their products, aiming to attract the attention of children and young individuals,” explained IGTC senior research program coordinator Elizabeth Crespi, MPH , in an interview for the article. “[These include] positioning displays at eye level for kids, ensuring the availability of products and advertisements in proximity to schools, parks, and other areas frequented by children, and utilizing eye-catching packaging with enticing flavors to make products appear novel and appealing.”  

Crespi and her fellow researchers explained that evidence-based policies, together with strong enforcement and imposing strict penalties for violations, can help prevent people from starting to use tobacco products and support those who are addicted to nicotine and want to stop.  

In addition to a comprehensive advertising ban that prohibits marketing at the point of sale, IGTC assistant scientist Tuo-Yen Tseng, PhD , offered several additional policy interventions that could effectively counter the tobacco epidemic in the Philippines: “Restoring the minimum purchase age to 21, prohibiting flavors [or] additives other than tobacco flavor, applying plain and standardized packaging, and prohibiting health and cessation claims unless evaluated and approved by a specialized government health agency to protect Filipino youth from tobacco and nicotine harm.” 

With mounting evidence to support the media attention, work of advocacy groups, and calls for heightened enforcement by the Department of Health, could it be enough to compel a response from Filipino policymakers? Dr. Brown believes that these evidence-based policies are key to saving 100,000+ lives each year in the Philippines.  

“We have evidence that policies, like 100% smoke-free public places, comprehensive advertising bans, prohibiting flavors, and raising tobacco taxes, can help prevent people from starting to use tobacco products and support those who are addicted to nicotine and want to stop,” she said. “With the necessary political will behind them, countries around the world have successfully adopted strong, national-level tobacco control policies that protect [their] residents from tobacco-caused death and disease.” 

The Smoking Ban in the Philippines: What you need to know

The executive order aims for smoke-free public spaces in the philippines..

Executive Order 26 strengthens tobacco-regulating laws that already exist.

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