Consumer groups and farmers in the Philippines asked the World Health Organization (WHO) and public policymakers to adopt a science-based approach to tobacco control, saying the current restrictive measures threaten harm reduction options and farmer livelihoods.
The appeal is being made ahead of the eleventh biennial tobacco control conference of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), scheduled for Nov. 17 to 22, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Groups including the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), Vaper AKO, Consumer Choice Philippines, the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Quit for Good and the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) have voiced support for strategies that encourage the use of non-combustible alternatives such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products. They view these alternatives as effective tools for harm reduction.
Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of consumer advocacy group Quit for Good, said the WHO’s approach disregards scientific evidence and limits smokers’ access to safer alternatives.
Mata said scientific research indicates smoke and not nicotine is the primary cause of smoking-related heart and lung diseases.
He said the WHO’s effort to “demonize nicotine” is misguided and denies millions of Filipinos access to safer options, citing an alarming rise in adult smoking from 18.5 percent in 2021 to 23.2 percent in 2023 as a consequence of current policy.
Mata called for the WHO to integrate harm reduction into its global strategies, stressing the need to offer the over 1.3 billion smokers worldwide access to safer options. While acknowledging that abstinence remains the ideal goal, he said non-combustible options represent a practical and science-supported path forward.
Adolph Ilas, chairman of Consumer Choice Philippines, advocated for the adoption of tobacco harm reduction as a more effective public health strategy, cautioning that overly restrictive policies on alternative products could worsen the smoking epidemic.
Joaqui Gallardo, spokesperson for Vaper Ako, supported the call for harm reduction, warning that restrictive tobacco policies may alienate smokers, limit their access to safer alternatives, and stigmatize the nicotine industry. This could potentially drive demand toward illicit markets. Gallardo suggested that the increase in smoking rates in the Philippines could be connected to the expansion of the illicit cigarette market, which is driven by stringent regulations and high taxes on legal products that make illegal alternatives more affordable.
Joey Dulay, president of PECIA, recognized the Vape Law (Republic Act No. 11900) as a key milestone in creating a structured fiscal policy for smoke-free products. However, he expressed opposition to proposed tax hikes on vape devices, calling for a “fair and sustainable rate” that promotes compliance, safeguards employment and maintains access to regulated harm reduction options for adult smokers.
The NCUP noted that although Article 1 of the FCTC implicitly supports harm reduction, the WHO has not endorsed the use of less harmful alternatives as a core strategy to reduce smoking. Anton Israel, president of the NCUP, lamented that nicotine consumers are often overlooked and face social stigma, with limited opportunities to voice their concerns.
“Nicotine consumers should not be vilified,” Israel said.
“We need clear, grassroots-level education to help smokers understand the availability of less harmful alternatives,” he said.
The FFF said tobacco has long been a vital agricultural crop. The agricultural association noted that with the rise of smoke-free technologies, the risks associated with tobacco and nicotine use have significantly declined. The FFF urged FCTC delegates to support reasonable regulations that would allow farmers to remain competitive and sustain their livelihoods.
Consumer groups urged policymakers to prioritize science over ideology in shaping tobacco regulations, citing findings from Public Health England that estimate vaping to be significantly less harmful than traditional smoking. The NCUP described the upcoming 11th Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC as a chance for global leaders to engage with consumer voices and support practical pathways to cessation rather than penalizing those who struggle to quit.
“We need a fresh approach,” the NCUP said. “It’s time to embrace harm reduction—not just in Asia-Pacific, but worldwide.”
