Poll bets urged: Combat ‘vices epidemic’

Health experts and advocates on Wednesday urged election candidates to “take a stand against the growing epidemic of cigarettes, vapes and alcohol” among Filipino youth.

Philippine Medical Association (PMA) president Dr. Hector Santos said this is a “full-blown epidemic that demands immediate action from our leaders.”

“We are calling on candidates to stand with our parents and youth now so our children don’t have to inherit a future of early, preventable deaths and illnesses,” Santos said.

Public policy think tank Action for Economic Reforms (AER), based on the National Nutrition Survey, found that consumption rates of cigarettes, vapes and alcohol “have increased from 2021 to 2023.”

According to AER, these dramatic increases represent a significant rise in the absolute number of young people consuming harmful products.

In 2023, there were a total of 89,000 tobacco-related deaths in the Philippines, while alcohol consumption leads to at least 27,000 deaths a year.

“Every day that we don’t act, another Filipino family loses a loved one while the tobacco, vape and alcohol industries profit,” Santos said.

“We are tired of watching the devastating health effects of alcohol, tobacco and vape on our youth with no action taken by our policymakers,” he added.

The physicians and health advocates attributed the rise to “aggressive marketing and weak regulations” on cigarettes, vapes and alcoholic beverages.

One effective way to reduce consumption of these harmful products, according to AJ Montesa, AER project officer, is to implement higher taxes on cigarettes, vapes and alcoholic beverages.

“From 2009 to 2021, there was a big reduction in consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products as a result of the tax increase,” Montesa pointed out during the "End the Epidemic on Yosi, Vape at Alak Among Youth" media forum held in Quezon City.

In 2020, the tax rate on cigarettes increased from P37.50 to P45 per pack, meanwhile, the tax on heated tobacco increased by five percent in 2024, and is set to rise annually after.

While there is also a price increase in alcoholic beverages yearly, Montesa said that the Philippines still has some of the cheapest prices on these products worldwide.

“One bottle of gin is cheaper than a fast food value meal. So it’s too accessible to too many people,” Montesa said.

Aside from imposing higher taxes on sin products, such as alcohol and tobacco, Montesa also stressed that the government must implement stricter regulations.

“Taxes are the most effective policy, but regulations can also complement the taxes as well. Keep them out of reach of young people, make it inaccessible to young people, and stop the aggressive marketing,” Montesa said.

Montesa also disclosed that approximately 20 to 25 percent of nationwide road accidents could be attributed to alcohol.

Data revealed that in 2023, about 16.79 percent of Filipino adults were identified as “binge drinkers,” or those who regularly consume alcohol. Alcohol consumption has serious consequences.

According to AER, alcohol consumption leads to at least 27,000 deaths a year. Further, the Department of Health identified that 4,000 of the 12,000 annual road user deaths were related to alcohol intoxication.

“Alcohol leads to road accidents because even small amounts of alcohol can impair cognitive and driving abilities, even if not heavily intoxicated,” said Montesa. “Any level of alcohol consumption can impair your mobility.”

To address the high level of alcohol consumption among Filipinos, Montesa advocated for higher taxes on alcoholic beverages.

“Taxes are highly effective because if they raise the price of alcoholic products, demand will fall. If prices are raised, consumption is likely to decrease,” said Montesa.