DOH: Marketing PH as HTP manufacturing hub may worsen ‘tobacco epidemic’

The Department of Health (DOH) warned on Thursday that marketing the Philippines to multinational corporations as a manufacturing hub for vape and heated tobacco products (HTPs) may lead to the worsening of the "tobacco epidemic" in the country.

The DOH issued the statement after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday touted the Philippines’ potential to be a manufacturing hub for HTPs in the Asia-Pacific region.

DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo, during the International Tobacco Agricultural Summit, said that multinational corporations "are actively exploring this opportunity in the Philippines."

In its statement, the Health Department, which has been persistently warning Filipinos about the harmful effects of smoke and emissions from HTPs and vaping, said this would negatively affect efforts to restrict youth access to these products.

''With the increasing prevalence of vape and HTP use and the emergence of cases of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury), the DOH cautions that marketing the Philippines to multinational corporations as a manufacturing hub of vapes and HTPs may result in the proliferation of these harmful products and the worsening of the tobacco epidemic in the country and will undermine efforts to prevent and restrict access to these products, especially among the youth,'' the DOH said. 

"Economic managers should consider the long-term economic burden resulting from these harmful products due to premature sickness and deaths, which outweighs potential economic gains from investing in these industries," it added.

The DOH also said such a move would be contrary to the intent of Republic Act 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, to protect citizens from any potential hazards of HTPs.

Under the measure, the government shall regulate the importation, assembly, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, advertisement, promotion, and sponsorship of Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, and their devices, and Novel Tobacco Products "in order to promote a healthy environment, protect the citizens from any potential hazards of these novel consumer products, reduce the harm caused by smoking, and ensure that the sale to minors and the illicit trade of Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, and their devices, and Novel Tobacco Products in the country are prevented." 

The controversial vape bill lapsed into law in 2022, providing regulations on the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vape products and novel tobacco products.

The DOH had consistently opposed its passage. — VBL, GMA Integrated News