Youth backsliding on tobacco use feared

Public health advocates in the Philippines expressed growing concern on Thursday over the escalation of influence by the tobacco industry, which they say threatens the health and welfare of young Filipinos.

At the launch of the 2022 and 2023 Tobacco Industry Interference Index Country Reports, the advocates warned that the downward trend of smoking in the country could be reversed, and more young people could become addicted to nicotine products if the situation is not addressed.

"The tobacco industry has proven just how relentless they are in using their political and marketing machinery to assert their interests via interactions with the government," said Rom Dongeto, convenor of the Child Rights Network and executive director of the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development.

"We need to stop tobacco companies from targeting children and youth, especially through online platforms, in the propagation of their deadly vapes and cigarettes," he added.

The 2022 and 2023 TII Index Reports found that the Philippines' score has consistently increased over the years, indicating the increasing influence of the tobacco industry and the government's failure to combat interference.

The country's score rose from 45 in 2017 to 54 in 2018 and 57 in 2019. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, scores rose to 54 in 2020 and 58 in 2021. By 2022, the country's score was up another notch at 59 and moved up further to 60 in 2023.