MANILA, PHILIPPINES [TAC] – Public health and child rights groups urged the Philippine government to end relationships with “big tobacco” and break free from its influence that stalls progress in effective policymaking on tobacco control.
The groups renewed their call “to safeguard the health of future generations” in observance of National Children’s Month and in anticipation of the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC COP 11) this November in Geneva, Switzerland.
The think tank HealthJustice warned of the alarming upward score of the Philippines in the 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Index Report as evidence of the worsening tobacco industry influence under the current administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The 2025 TII Index score escalated to 70 from 60 in 2023 – “proof of the tobacco industry’s tighter grip of the government with its participation in policy development, corporate washing and government partnerships”, the group said.
“Every year, 112,000 Filipino lives are lost due to smoking, and the economy squanders P23.1 billion (US$405 million) to smoking-related health expenses. This is the tragic cost of allowing the tobacco industry to weaken public health policy”, said Mary Ann Fernandez Mendoza, president of HealthJustice and former Civil Service Commissioner. “The nation does not deserve weak laws and compromised reforms that protect business interests instead of the people.”
Mendoza called on government leaders to “exhibit true public service and good governance as stewards of the people’s health…cut ties with the tobacco industry and uphold obligations under the WHO FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control).”
Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, executive director of Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance said the Philippine government must reject tobacco industry influence to protect public health especially the youth.
“At the upcoming COP11, the Philippines should redeem itself as a tobacco control leader by championing measures to achieve a tobacco-free future, rather than be a mouthpiece for the industry and risking the country’s international reputation with a potential sixth Dirty Ashtray award,” said Dorotheo.
The 2025 TII Index Report was officially launched on November 6 in Quezon City. The event was graced by HealthJustice Board Member and former Philippine Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan.
