The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) acknowledges President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to retain Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as Secretary of Health but calls for urgent reforms to align the Department of Health’s (DOH) policies with global evidence on tobacco harm reduction.
Despite support from medical associations for Herbosa’s retention, CAPHRA argues that his leadership must now prioritise science over ideology to address the Philippines’ stalled progress in reducing smoking-related deaths.
“While we respect the President’s decision, it is deeply concerning that the DOH continues to ignore the role of safer nicotine products in saving lives,” said Clarisse Yvette P. Virgino, CAPHRA’s Philippine Representative.
“Secretary Herbosa’s reappointment must mark a turning point—a commitment to evidence-based strategies, not continued reliance on outdated prohibitionist policies.”
CAPHRA highlights that under Herbosa’s tenure, the Philippines has maintained regressive vaping regulations despite global precedents. The UK’s National Health Service, for example, attributes its record-low 6% smoking rate to regulated vaping access, while Australia’s prescription-only model has fuelled a A$2.3 billion black market without reducing smoking rates.
“The DOH’s refusal to distinguish between deadly combustible tobacco and safer alternatives like vaping perpetuates needless deaths,” Virgino said. “Over 60% of Filipino smokers still wrongly believe nicotine causes cancer—a myth the DOH has done little to correct.
“Secretary Herbosa has an opportunity to replicate Sweden’s success, where snus helped slash smoking rates to 5%. This requires dialogue with consumers, not dismissal of their experiences.”
CAPHRA urges the Department of Health to modernise its approach by revising vaping regulations to replace punitive restrictions with age-gated sales and quality standards, as seen in Malaysia’s successful 2024 reforms. The organisation also calls for robust public education campaigns to correct misinformation about nicotine and to encourage switching to safer alternatives.
Additionally, CAPHRA advocates for more inclusive policymaking, recommending the formation of a stakeholder council that brings together public health experts, retailers, and consumer advocates to ensure policies are both effective and grounded in real-world experience.
“The DOH’s current approach fails the ‘pub test.’ How can we claim progress when 16 million Filipinos still smoke and illicit trade thrives?” Virgino asked. “Secretary Herbosa must choose: Will he defend outdated dogma, or embrace innovation that saves lives?”
CAPHRA reaffirms its willingness to collaborate with the DOH, offering global data and consumer insights to inform policy. “The stakes are too high for inertia. We need leadership that prioritises Filipinos’ health over political convenience,” Virgino concluded.
