Nicotine addiction from tobacco products remains a critical public health challenge in the Philippines. The Department of Health (DOH) is alarmed by the rising prevalence of adult tobacco and vape use, as evidenced by the 2023 National Nutrition Survey which reported an increase from 19% in 2021 to 24.4% among adults aged 20 to 59.
The DOH emphasizes that tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over 8 million annual deaths attributable to tobacco. In the Philippines, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority for 2023 and 2024 indicate that the top three causes of death – heart attacks, cancer, and strokes – are all linked to tobacco use.
Beyond its association with the top three causes of death, cigarette smoking is also linked to a range of other serious health conditions. These include lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and harmful reproductive health effects. Additionally, smoking contributes to other diseases, including certain eye disorders and immune system problems like rheumatoid arthritis.
Furthermore, the DOH emphasizes the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure, which is known to cause coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer in adults, and increases the risk of respiratory and ear infections, asthma attacks, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in children.
Vapes and vapor products pose significant health risks including e-cigarette or vapor product associated lung injury (EVALI), nicotine addiction, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, among others. The Philippines has already recorded and published its first case of E-cigarette or Vaping Use-associated Lung Injury (EVALI)-related death in a 22-year old athletic male who had no history of smoking or other vices, but started vaping at an early age.
Beyond its policy achievements with the Sin Tax and Graphic Health Warnings, the DOH also urges users of tobacco and vape products to make use of its quitline (1558) and other smoking cessation services.
The DOH continues to refuse and reject all proposed donations by the tobacco industry, whether to its officials or the agency or its units. We thank allies who continually remind us of the perils of tobacco and vape, and who are aware of the legal mandate and scope of the Department. We are saddened that some may have fallen victim to industry tactics of divide and conquer.
