DOH cautions against establishing Philippines as hub for HTP

According to a previous report, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines has encouraged tobacco companies to produce heated tobacco products (HTP) in the country. As stated by the DTI, if HTP is produced in the Philippines, it can be exported to ASEAN countries (excluding Vietnam), Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China, under zero tariff preferential conditions.

The Philippine Department of Health issued a warning on August 4, stating that positioning the Philippines as a manufacturing hub for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP) may worsen the country's tobacco crisis.

The Ministry of Health is concerned that this measure may lead to the proliferation of these projects and undermine efforts to prevent and restrict the use of HTP and e-cigarettes, especially among young people. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said, "This measure is also contradictory to the policy intent of Republic Act 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Product Regulation Act), which aims to protect citizens from any potential harm posed by HTP.

According to a report from the Philippine News Agency, the Department of Trade and Industry in the Philippines is urging HTP manufacturers to consider the country as the next destination for their factories, citing an increased demand for heated tobacco products. The Department of Health has expressed concerns, stating that economic managers should take into account the long-term economic burden caused by these harmful products, including the costs incurred from premature deaths, which outweigh any potential economic benefits that investment in these industries may bring.

The "Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Management Act" became law in July 2022. The legislation empowers the Department of Trade and Industry to regulate vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products. Only registered vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, accompanied by appropriate graphic health warning labels, are permitted for sale, advertising, or distribution.

The law also allows individuals as young as 18 years old to purchase e-cigarette products, which has drawn criticism from health and children's rights organizations who argue that this will make e-cigarettes more accessible to young people.

References: 

[1] DOH cautions vs marketing Philippines as hub for heated tobacco products