Warning from Philippine Department of Health: Rising Tobacco and E-cigarette Use

Apr.07.2025
Warning from Philippine Department of Health: Rising Tobacco and E-cigarette Use
Philippine Health Department issues warning on rising tobacco and e-cigarette use, citing increase in nicotine addiction and related deaths.

Key Points:

The Philippine Department of Health has issued a warning about the increasing rates of tobacco and e-cigarette use.

A survey reveals that the nicotine addiction rate is on the rise in the Philippines, with tobacco use closely associated with the country's leading causes of death.

The Ministry of Health reports the first death case related to e-cigarette.


According to The Star report on April 6th, the Department of Health in the Philippines is expressing concern over the increasing use of tobacco and e-cigarettes among its residents.

 

The Department of Health cited the results of the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, indicating that nicotine addiction caused by tobacco products remains a significant public health issue in the Philippines. The survey shows that the nicotine addiction rate among individuals aged 20 to 59 has increased from 19% in 2021 to 24.4% in 2023.

 

The Ministry of Health has stated that tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. 

 

Globally, the World Health Organization(WHO) estimates that over 8 million deaths are caused annually by tobacco use. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that in 2023 and 2024, the country's top three causes of death - heart disease, cancer, and stroke - are all closely linked to tobacco use.

 

The Department of Health in the Philippines reported that the country has recorded and confirmed its first case of death related to lung injury from e-cigarette use. 

 

The patient was a 22-year-old male with no history of smoking or other harmful behaviors, but had been using e-cigarettes since childhood.

 

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2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

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