Issues Philippines

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of the Philippines. Every year, more than 117700 of its people arekilled by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 94000 children (10-14 years old) and 12838000 adults (15+ years old)continue to use tobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in thePhilippines and ensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to othercommunities and resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

33.9%More men smoke in the Philippinesthan on average in medium-HDIcountries.

Female

3.6%Even though fewer women smoke inthe Philippines than on average inmedium-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 1234700 women whosmoke cigarettes each day, making itan ongoing and dire public healththreat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

1.34%More boys smoke in the Philippines thanon average in medium-HDI countries.

Girls

0.46%More girls smoke in the Philippines thanon average in medium-HDI countries.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

22.65%More men die in the Philippines than onaverage in medium-HDI countries.

Female

13.25%More women die in the Philippines thanon average in medium-HDI countries.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in the Philippines amountsto 269326 million peso. This includes direct costs relatedto healthcare expenditures and indirect costs related tolost productivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

1.7% Even though fewer people use smokelesstobacco on average in the Philippines thanon average in medium-HDI countries,1163800 people still currently usesmokeless tobacco, indicating an ongoingpublic health challenge, includingheightened levels of oral cancers.

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, whichis equal to 94% of the Gross National Income of thePhilippines. The industry is a powerful force that does notfear the actions of smaller nation-states because of theirextensive resources and global market power. Largereconomies and nations have the opportunity to help thesmaller allies face down this threat.

Growing

There were 61418metric tons of tobaccoproduced in thePhilippines in 2014, with0.29% of agriculturalland devoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

There were 84.96billion cigarettesproduced in thePhilippines in2016.

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Solutions Philippines

Current Policy in thePhilippinesProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Philippines

60.61%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the bestpractice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline No

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 50%

Plain Packaging No

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience No

Target Audience Research Was Conducted Yes

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation Yes

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness No

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

6/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

1/10possible bans

Ad Ban Compliance Percent

Moderate

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (productplacement)

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