Philippine Supreme Court Grants FDA Authority Over Tobacco Products

Jul.31.2024
Philippine Supreme Court Grants FDA Authority Over Tobacco Products
Philstar reported on July 31 that the Philippine Supreme Court ruled FDA has authority to regulate tobacco products.

According to a report by Philstar on July 31, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate tobacco products. The FDA, formerly known as the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), was renamed the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines (FDA) after the signing of Republic Act No. 9711 on August 18, 2009 by the Philippine President.


In a ruling issued on July 23, the Supreme Court rejected the reconsideration requests filed by the Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) and Albay representative Edcel Lagman.


The Supreme Court stated that according to Republic Act No. 9711 (Food and Drug Administration Act), the FDA has regulatory authority over all health products.


The implementation regulations of this law also stipulate that the Ministry of Health is responsible for overseeing tobacco products through the FDA.


PTI has questioned the authority of the FDA, arguing that the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC) has exclusive jurisdiction over tobacco products, including their health aspects.


The regional first-instance court issued a ruling favorable to PTI, stating that tobacco products do not fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA.


However, the Supreme Court overturned this decision in 2021, prompting PTI and Lagman to file applications for reconsideration.


In resolving this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the IAC does not have exclusive jurisdiction over tobacco products.


All products that affect health, including tobacco, are within the purview of the FDA to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and quality of health products.


The Supreme Court stated that including tobacco products in the FDA's regulatory framework also aligns with the country's commitments under the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.


The Department of Health (DOH) appreciates the decision of the Supreme Court, stating that it "promotes and safeguards the health of present and future Filipinos.


This is a decisive step in the tobacco industry's attempts to evade regulation.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Philippines DTI Reports $740K in Illegal E-Cigarette Seizures and Removal of 100 Million Violation Records This Year
Philippines DTI Reports $740K in Illegal E-Cigarette Seizures and Removal of 100 Million Violation Records This Year
Between January and May 2025, the Philippine DTI seized $740,000 worth of illegal e-cigarettes from 88 unauthorized brands. Over 104 million online violations were removed, 628 businesses flagged, 385 legal notices issued, and 10 brands suspended.
May.28
Altria Partners with U.S. Golf Course Association to Offer Members Discounted on! Nicotine Pouches
Altria Partners with U.S. Golf Course Association to Offer Members Discounted on! Nicotine Pouches
The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has partnered with Altria to offer its members discounted on!® nicotine pouches through the NGCOA platform. In 2024, shipments from Altria’s Helix unit surged 40%, with on!® sales topping 160 million cans.
Jul.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Saudi Arabia's New Regulation: Grocery Stores Banned from Selling Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Hookahs
Saudi Arabia's New Regulation: Grocery Stores Banned from Selling Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Hookahs
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has issued a new regulation prohibiting grocery stores from selling tobacco, fresh foods like dates, e-cigarettes, and hookahs. Existing stores are given a 6-month period to make necessary adjustments.
Jun.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
European Tobacco Tax Surge: Some Products See Increases of Up to 258%
European Tobacco Tax Surge: Some Products See Increases of Up to 258%
European tobacco taxes are set to rise sharply, with some products facing increases of up to 258%. Authorities are also considering including e-cigarettes in the tax framework to strengthen anti-smoking policies, aiming to generate an additional €15.1 billion (about $17.5 billion) in tax revenue.
Jun.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Texas Governor Signs E-Cigarette Bill: Bans Vapes Made by China and "Foreign Adversaries"
U.S. Texas Governor Signs E-Cigarette Bill: Bans Vapes Made by China and "Foreign Adversaries"
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 2024, effective September 1, 2025, tightening e-cigarette regulations. The law targets marketing to minors, vape products disguised as everyday items, illegal additives, and e-cigarettes made by "foreign adversaries" like China.
Jun.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Ireland's E-Waste Surges 75%: E-Cigarettes Dominate the Market—Can Recycling Systems Keep Up?
Ireland's E-Waste Surges 75%: E-Cigarettes Dominate the Market—Can Recycling Systems Keep Up?
Ireland’s 2024 Annual Report shows electronic device sales rose 75% in five years, reaching 93 million units—driven largely by e-cigarettes (one-third of sales) and solar panels. Recycling improved, but e-cigarette systems lag. The government pledged €27 million to boost the circular economy.
Jun.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai