See the latest information about the status of tobacco policies and facts about the tobacco epidemic in the Philippines:
In the Philippines 40.5% of males and 7.6% of females are smokers. Filipino smokers consume 1,478 cigarettes each year and the country manufactures 75.9 million sticks annually. Smoking is an acceptable and trendy practice in many urban and rural areas. In particular smoking in the work place has become widely prevalent and as more women enter the workforce their smoking rates have been on the rise.
The Philippines ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on June 6, 2005. Although the country has developed compelling tobacco control legislation, appropriate and effective implementation remains at issue.
While smoking in public places such as, schools, universities, and public transportation is not allowed except for in designated areas, it is difficult to identify whether smoke-free legislation is enforced throughout the country.
Tobacco taxation legislation introduced in 2005 increases the tax on cigarettes each year. Despite the steady increases in taxation, the Philippines is considered to have among the lowest cigarette prices in all of Asia.
Advertising for tobacco products on print media and on cigarette packages include health warnings. Promotion of tobacco products is not allowed in print media aimed at minors and billboards are not permitted near schools or playgrounds. Ongoing litigation championed by tobacco control advocates seeks to ensure implementation of pre-existing legislation that limits tobacco advertising outdoors and in other priority areas.
Sources: Euromonitor, ACS: Tobacco Atlas (second edition), FCA, FCAP (available at: http://fcap.globalink.org/), Internal email correspondence- Elaine Yin (7/26/07), Rose Nathan (7/27/07)