Philippines Raises Alarm Over Surge in Adult Tobacco, Vape Use

The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) has voiced concern over the growing use of tobacco and vape products among adults, warning that nicotine addiction remains a serious public health threat in the country.

In a statement released Friday, the health agency pointed to new data from the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, which shows that tobacco use among Filipinos aged 20 to 59 increased from 19 percent in 2021 to 24.4 percent.

“Nicotine addiction from tobacco products remains a critical public health challenge in the Philippines,” the DOH stated.

The agency stressed that tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. It also noted that the country continues to grapple with the health consequences of smoking, which are reflected in the nation’s top three causes of death—heart attacks, cancer, and strokes—all linked to tobacco use.

Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates over eight million deaths each year are caused by tobacco use.

In a worrying development, the DOH confirmed the Philippines’ first vaping-related fatality. The victim was a 22-year-old athletic male with no prior smoking history who suffered vaping-associated lung injury after prolonged use.