Philstar.com
November 13, 2025 | 2:15pm
MANILA, Philippines — Consumers and farmers are calling for tobacco regulations that are grounded in science while ensuring that livelihoods are protected.
Groups including the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), Vaper AKO, Consumer Choice Philippines, the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Quit for Good and the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) emphasized a balanced approach that supports non-combustible products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products.
The call comes ahead of the 11th biennial Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 17 to 22, 2025.
Advocates are urging policymakers to consider harm reduction strategies, allowing smokers access to safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes while protecting farmers’ livelihoods.
Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of consumer advocacy group Quit for Good, said scientific evidence shows that it is the smoke, not nicotine, that is responsible for heart and lung diseases.
He warned that restricting access to less harmful alternatives could leave millions of nicotine-dependent Filipinos tied to combustible cigarettes, citing a rise in adult smoking rates in the Philippines from 18.5% in 2021 to 23.2% in 2023.
“While abstinence remains the ideal, science-backed alternatives offer a practical way to reduce harm,” Mata said during the Harm Reduction and Nicotine Summit on October 15.
Adolph Ilas, chairman of Consumer Choice Philippines, argued that embracing harm reduction is a more effective public health strategy. “Restrictive policies on safer alternatives risk worsening the smoking epidemic and limit options for those seeking less harmful products,” he said.
Vaper AKO spokesperson Joaqui Gallardo warned that prohibitionist approaches could alienate smokers, restrict choice and fuel the illegal market. He noted that rising smoking rates may be linked to the growth of illicit cigarette sales due to heavy taxation on regulated products.
Joey Dulay, president of PECIA, praised the Philippines’ Vape Law (Republic Act No. 11900) for establishing a clear regulatory framework for smoke-free products but opposed proposed higher taxes on vaping devices.
“A fair and sustainable tax rate will protect jobs and ensure adult smokers have access to safer alternatives,” he said.
The Federation of Free Farmers highlighted tobacco’s importance as a major crop.
“Smoke-free technologies have significantly reduced health risks compared to decades ago. Reasonable, science-backed regulations can help our farmers remain competitive and maintain livelihoods,” the group said.
Consumer groups called for policies guided by evidence rather than ideology, citing studies showing vaping is at least 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
They urged policymakers to integrate harm reduction into tobacco control strategies to safeguard smokers’ health while supporting farmers and local industries.