By Debby Sy and Alexander de las Alas Padilla Commissioner Mary Ann F. Mendoza — the career public servant who made tobacco industry an integrity problem, not just a health issue 11 January 1950 – 14 September 2026, Manila, Philippines Commissioner Mary Ann F. Mendoza — “Comm May” to the many who worked with her […]
Category: Philippines
Independent research refutes industry arguments on tobacco taxes and illicit trade in the Philippines
By Pia Rodrigo The Philippines has successfully raised tobacco tax rates to lower smoking prevalence and fund universal healthcare through three transformative laws passed between 2012 and 2020, establishing itself as a global leader in health tax policy. Tobacco industry lobbying and misinformation now put the Philippines at risk of reversing this progress. Recently, the […]
Health advocates worldwide oppose Philippines’ World Health Assembly presidency nomination following tobacco industry corporate social responsibility activities in the Philippines
E. Ulysses Dorotheo On World Health Day (April 7), more than 50 public health and tobacco control groups, led by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), submitted a petition to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, protesting the Philippines’ nomination to preside over the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) taking place in Geneva in […]
Philippine Congress set to reverse protective tobacco control measures via retrogressive ‘Vape Bill’
Anna Bueno and Ulysses Dorotheo New laws often build upon and strengthen existing laws, but in the midst of a pandemic when health-protective measures should be prioritised, retrogressive bills seeking to loosen existing restrictions on heated tobacco products (HTPs) and electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) have advanced in Philippine Congress, despite firm objections from the […]
The Philippines: Pioneering the Tobacco Endgame
Kathleen de Leon and Jacky T Sarita In global tobacco control, the Philippines is known as a particularly challenging environment due to long-standing tobacco industry influence. Over 15 years ago, it was termed the “strongest tobacco lobby in Asia”. The 2019 Southeast Asia Tobacco Industry Interference Index ranked the Philippines fifth among nine nations […]