The Philippine Smoke-Free Movement (PSFM), a group advocating for smoke-free and vape-free environments, expressed frustration after the Philippine government bagged its fifth “Dirty Ashtray” award during the 10th session of the Conference of Parties of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control held in Panama on Feb. 5 to 10, 2024.
Civil Society9 watchdog Global Alliance for Tobacco Control (GATC) gave the country its dirty award for its “brazen use of tobacco industry tactics to dispute and delay throughout COP10”.
The GATC presents the Dirty Ashtray award as a means of publicly denouncing nations that succumb to lobbying efforts from the tobacco industry. This is particularly aimed at instances where government officials or administrations align themselves with cigarette manufacturers by endorsing or supporting their tactics.
The Southeast Asian Tobacco Control Alliance or SEATCA reported that the Philippine delegates, together with a minority of parties, obstructed consensus on establishing an expert group to oversee the implementation of FCTC articles 9 and 10, which address the regulation and disclosure of tobacco product contents and emissions. With insufficient time remaining for further discussions, this agenda item was postponed until COP11.
“With the overwhelming data on the detrimental impacts of tobacco products, it is deeply troubling that the delegation tried to muddle consensus. Instead of engaging in constructive discourse and seeking common ground, they chose to pursue divisive agendas and engage in obstructionist tactics. By stalling discussions on critical issues, they effectively derailed important decisions and initiatives that could have had far-reaching positive impacts on public health. The award sends a chilling message that profits are prioritized over human lives and societal well-being,” said PSFM national coordinator Rizza Duro.
Aktibong Kilusan Tungo sa IIsang Bayan (AKTIB) Philippines, a people’s organization promoting healthier communities, said the Dirty Ashtray reflected the blatant disrespect of the delegates toward public health and their inability to grasp the magnitude of the detrimental impacts of tobacco products.
“The delegates mock the years of tireless advocacy of our community leaders. We are enraged that our efforts on the ground are being discarded by the public servants who promised to represent our aspirations on a global scale. It’s a betrayal of the trust of every community volunteer who worked hard to lobby and help institute tobacco-control ordinances and disseminate materials to protect their neighborhoods from the dangers of smoking and vaping,” said AKTIB Philippines national coordinator Sara Salvador.
Vladimir Von Defonturum, a tobacco-control youth advocate, also aired his disappointment at the award.
“The PSFM equates this Dirty Ashtray Award to an official selling of our youth’s future for the tobacco industry’s commercial interest. The delegates jeopardized the rights and well-being of the youth and the future generation by delaying the implementation of policies that test the contents of tobacco products. This notorious award and the recent passage of Republic Act 11900, otherwise known as the Vape Law, further stressed the bold attempt of the industry to solidify its market share and secure an entire generation of customers among the youth,” said Defonturum.
The 5th Dirty Ashtray Award prompted Senator Pia Cayetano to give a privilege speech on Feb. 19, 2024 and call for a Blue Ribbon hearing on Feb 21, 2024 to express her alarm over the delegation’s actions during COP10 that resulted in the notorious award.
“We thank the honorable senator for her consistent pro-health stance in this matter. We are with her in protecting the Filipino youth through our advocacy to promote the passage of comprehensive smoke-free and vape-free policies at both national and local levels. The PSFM network strongly implores the government to be accountable and make reasonable pro-health choices for our youth. The Filipino youth is not for sale to the tobacco industry. We rally behind Sen. Pia Cayetano in this advocacy,” said Duro.
