Survey: 9 of 10 Philippines Smokers Support Tobacco Harm Reduction

A recent survey conducted in the Philippines by an Asian research network, found that nine out of ten, or 90%, of local smokers would be in support of a public health strategy that endorses the use of safer nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.

Diane Caruana

March 23, 2022

94% of Filipinos believe that the local government should set in place policies encouraging smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes, whilst implementing strict measures ensuring that the products are not accessible to minors.

Conducted by ACORN Marketing & Research Consultants and commissioned by consumer advocacy group Vapers PH, the study confirmed the wide public support for tobacco harm reduction. “Majority have positive perception, would consider switching to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and would like to have greater access to accurate information about these products,” said ACORN.

The compiled data indicated that about 70% of 2,000 respondents believe that e-cigarettes and HTPs are better alternatives to cigarettes, and 88% of adult smokers would consider switching to smoke-free alternative products. Moreover, 94% believe that the local government should set in place policies encouraging smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes, whilst implementing strict measures ensuring that the products are not accessible to minors.

“The results of this survey come at a crucial time when the Senate is deliberating on the Vaporized Nicotine Products Bill. We hope that our senators will listen to the voice of Filipino smokers and vapers when we call on them to pass the VNP bill to encourage smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes,” said Peter Paul Dator, president of Vapers PH, a vaping advocacy group in the country.

The Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act

Meanwhile, an earlier press release by the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA), had revealed that as Senate is deliberating on Senate Bill No. 2239, or the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act, Bloomberg Philanthropies has been interfering with the aim of shining a bad light on the measure. “Perfectly orchestrated criticism from youth and student organizations on the vaping legislation currently before the Philippines Senate proves that undue foreign influence and money continue to be an ongoing issue in the Philippines,” said CAPHRA Executive Coordinator Nancy Loucas.

“This latest well-timed supposed youth initiative against Senate Bill No. 2239 has the fingerprints of Bloomberg Philanthropies all over it. Their ridiculous claim that the ‘vape bill is anti-youth and anti-health’ is undoubtedly funded and driven out of America. All their baseless rhetoric is straight out the Bloomberg playbook. It’s very disappointing,” she continued.

Thankfully, she added, the Philippines’ Congress is currently demanding tighter measures against foreign interference, while the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has been calling for airtight policies to ensure foreign donors, such as Bloomberg, do not interfere in the country’s policy making processes.