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MANILA, April 9, 2025 — A parents’ organization has lauded the Department of Health (DOH) for continuously refusing and rejecting all proposed donations by the tobacco industry, making the agency free from any vested interests that could jeopardize public health, especially the health of our children.
“If DOH will accept donations it may be construed as approving and promoting the use of tobacco or vape,” the Parents Against Vape (PAV) said.
PAV added that accepting donations from the tobacco company poses significant risks to the health and well-being of the children and the youth.
Moreover, PAV said, the acceptance of donations from the tobacco industry contravenes commitments under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which seeks to protect public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.
“Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC states that parties shall act to protect public health policies from the interests of the tobacco industry, a principle that should guide all national policies and regulations,” PAV added.
Critical public health challenge
The DOH recognizes and expresses its gratitude to their allies who continually remind them 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,” the DOH said in a statement, stressing that nicotine addiction from tobacco products remains a critical public health challenge in the Philippines.
The DOH has expressed alarm on the rising prevalence of adult tobacco and vape use, as evidenced by the 2023 National Nutrition Survey which reported an increase from 19 percent in 2021 to 24.4 percent among adults aged 20 to 59.
The DOH emphasizes that tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Globally, the WHO estimates over eight million annual deaths are attributable to tobacco. In the Philippines, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 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 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. (/)