Urgent Call for Stronger Tobacco Control in the Philippines Health Advocates Demand WHO FCTC Alignment

Title Strengthening Tobacco Control in the Philippines A Call to Action for Health Advocates

As the world continues to grapple with the devastating impact of tobacco use, a coalition of health advocates and youth leaders in the Philippines is urging the government to take immediate action to strengthen its tobacco control policies. This call to action comes on the heels of the country's participation in the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

Strengthening Tobacco Control A Wake-Up Call

A coalition of organizations, including TobaccOFF NOW, Philippine Smoke-Free Movement (PSFM), Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN), Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), Parents Against Vape, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca), and Kabataan Partylist, is demanding that the government realign its tobacco control policies with the WHO FCTC. This urgent call to action serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger accountability from the Philippine government.

Youth Leaders Take Charge Prioritizing Health Over Profits

Vonn Vincent Tanchuan, a representative of TobaccOFF NOW, emphasized the importance of prioritizing health over profits, stating, We recognize the great strides governments made at COP11; however, back home, we continue to call for the Philippine government to prioritize our health over profits. Tanchuan added that youth groups are prepared to support the Department of Health's (DOH) call for a nationwide ban on vapes, stressing that electronic smoking devices are equally unsafe and designed to lure young people into addiction.

Transparency and Accountability Upholding Public Health Policy

Rizza Duro, national coordinator of PSFM, called on government officials to be transparent and truthful about their engagements with the tobacco industry. She emphasized the need for the government to uphold the DOH-Civil Service Commission Joint Memorandum Circular, which prohibits unnecessary interactions with the tobacco industry. This echoes the sentiment of Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, executive director of Seatca, who urged the country to reject tobacco industry narratives and fully comply with WHO FCTC Article 5.3, which requires governments to protect public health policymaking from industry interference.

Sustaining Progress A Path Forward

The Philippines' participation in COP11 was a significant step forward in promoting tobacco control, but more needs to be done to sustain this progress. The country received its fifth dirty ashtray award at the COP10 in Panama, and while it did not receive the distinction this year, there is still much work to be done to protect the health of all Filipinos from tobacco and nicotine addiction.

Conclusion A Call to Action

The urgent call for stronger tobacco control in the Philippines is a clarion call for action. It is imperative that the government takes immediate steps to align its policies with the WHO FCTC and prioritizes public health over industry interests. The time has come for sustained progress, not just words.

Subheadings

Strengthening Tobacco Control in the Philippines
A Wake-Up Call
Youth Leaders Take Charge
Transparency and Accountability
Sustaining Progress

Keywords* tobacco control, WHO FCTC, sustainability, public health

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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