Philippines: Overview

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Consumption

Chart showing prevalence of tobacco use in the Philippines, 2003)

In the Philippines, 28 percent of the adult population (age 15+) smoke tobacco.
Almost half of men (48 percent) and 9 percent of women smoke.
Among youth (age 13-15) 17.5 percent smoke cigarettes (boys 23 percent; girls 12 percent) and 8 percent currently use tobacco products other than cigarettes (boys 8 percent; girls 7 percent).

Health consequences

Chart showing tobacco use among youth in the Philippines, 2003)

Smoking is conservatively estimated to kill over 35,000 Filipinos each year.
Among youth (age 13-15), 55 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke at home and 65 percent exposed to secondhand smoke in public places.
Almost 40 percent of adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and 37 percent of workers are exposed to secondhand smoke at the workplace.

Tobacco industry

Fortune Tobacco Corp held 43 percent of the cigarette market share in 2008. Philip Morris International ranked second with a market share of 28 percent in the same year. It was followed by Japan Tobacco with a share of 15 percent and Mighty Corp. with 5 percent. In the Philippines, more than 81 billion cigarettes were sold in 2008.

FCTC status

The Philippines ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 6, 2005.

Tobacco control policy status

Smoke-free environments: In the Philippines, smoking is completely banned in healthcare, educational, and government facilities and on public transportation. Smoking is also banned in other indoor workplaces and public places, however the law allows for these areas to have designated smoking areas.

Advertising, promotion and sponsorship: Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship is banned in the Philippines with some exceptions. Tobacco companies can still advertise at point-of-sale, provide free distribution of tobacco products, and provide promotional discounts.

Warning labels: Warning labels are text-only and cover 30 percent of the front of the package.

Tobacco taxes: Tobacco taxes in the Philippines are below the rate recommended by the World Bank (from 65 percent to 80 percent of retail price) that is commonly present in countries with effective tobacco control policies.

Updated: April 2010