Featured image above by SDN shows the convenors of the 2nd National Harm Reduction and Nicotine Summit with their Philippine Harm Reduction Agenda, ‘a science-backed, risk-based framework’ which they will submit to Congress and the Department of Finance (DOF) for the consideration of national policy-makers. (DOF).

Consumer groups, industry associations, and medical experts call for policies that preserve consumer choice and recognize differences between cigarettes and smoke-free alternatives

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PASAY CITY, October 1, 2026 — The Philippine Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (PHILTRA) coalition convened today, Thursday, the 2nd National Harm Reduction & Nicotine Summit, bringing together medical experts, consumer groups, and industry representatives to discuss policies on cigarettes, vapes, and other nicotine products.

This summit comes as the government considers proposals to ban vaping and heated tobacco products and to impose cigarette-level taxes on vape products.

Participants stressed that taxes on smoke-free alternatives should not automatically be the same as those on combustible cigarettes, particularly if policymakers want to encourage adult smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives.

“Harm reduction policies can save lives, while total bans risk fueling illicit markets and relapse,” said Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of PHILTRA co-convenor Quit For Good.

Medical experts at the summit discussed the principle of harm reduction, which seeks to reduce the health risks associated with nicotine use by encouraging smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit nicotine altogether to move away from combustible tobacco.

International experiences were discussed, including Sweden, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Japan, where smoking rates have declined alongside the availability of alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

Sweden, in particular, has reported a daily smoking rate of 3.7 percent, with significantly lower smoking prevalence than many other European countries.

The summit recognized the government’s need to raise revenues, but cautioned that using smoke-free alternatives primarily as a source of additional tax revenue could come at the expense of giving smokers another option to move away from cigarettes.

“We cannot look at these products only as another source of tax revenue. For smokers, they can also represent an opportunity to move away from cigarettes,” said Joey Dulay, President of the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA).

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“Ang hinihiling lang natin ay ganito, na ang polisiya ay nakabatay sa ebidensya at sa antas ng panganib.”

— Ka Anton Israel, Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP)

Moreover, the summit highlighted the relationship between taxation, affordability, and illicit trade. According to the latest study by the European Union-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Council (EU-ABC) and Euromonitor International, four in five e-vapes in the market are untaxed, while illicit tobacco and vapor trade was estimated to have cost the government ₱141 billion in foregone excise tax revenues in 2024 and 2025.

Participants warned that higher taxes on legal alternatives without stronger enforcement against illicit products could push consumers toward cheaper, untaxed products. The summit also featured a visual exhibit titled “When Choice Brings Hope,” featuring Filipino consumers who detailed how their lives improved, thanks to access to smoke-free alternatives that helped them move away from cigarettes.

“Ang hinihiling lang natin ay ganito, na ang polisiya ay nakabatay sa ebidensya at sa antas ng panganib,” said Ka Anton Israel, Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP). “The choice belongs to the Filipino consumer. Ang tungkulin natin ay tiyakin na hindi ito mawawala, na mananatili silang may access, may choice, at may pag-asa.” Israel added.

(Translation: What we are asking for is this, that the policy is based on evidence and the degree of risks. Our duty is to make sure this will not be lost, that access will continue, there’s choice, and there’s hope.)

The summit called for stronger enforcement of existing regulations, particularly against illicit trade and youth access, while maintaining risk-based distinctions between combustible cigarettes and smoke-free products. (/)

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About the National Summit on Nicotine and Harm Reduction

The National Summit on Harm Reduction & Nicotine is hosted by the Philippine Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (PHLTRA), composed of the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), Quit for Good, Consumer Choice Philippines, VaperAko, Smokefree Conversations PH, and the Science & Innovation Nicotine Advocacy Group (SINAG). As a summit, it examined how science-based harm reduction can be more effectively integrated into national tobacco control efforts, with discussions focusing on developing smarter regulations, aligning tax policies with public health objectives, ensuring access to accurate consumer information, and creating sustainable approaches that reduce harm, protect public health, and combat the rise of illicit trade. (/)