The Philippines became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on September 4, 2005.
Smoke Free Places: Smoking is prohibited in enumerated indoor public places and workplaces such as government facilities, healthcare and educational institutions, and facilities frequented by minors, while designated smoking areas are permitted in other public places and workplaces, including bars and nightclubs. Smoking is prohibited in public land transportation, aircraft, and public transportation terminals. Public watercraft may have designated smoking areas.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Many forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited,though tobacco advertising and promotion at points of sale and free distribution of tobacco products, among other promotional activities, are allowed. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Rotating and combined picture and text health warnings are required to be placed on 50 percent of each of the principal display areas of tobacco product packaging. Misleading terms such as “light” and “low” are prohibited on tobacco product packaging, but other misleading packaging (e.g., colors, numbers, and symbols) are not prohibited.
Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Philippines are well below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
Yes
|
Private offices
Yes
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
Yes
|
Public transport
No
|
|
Universities
Yes
|
Restaurants
No
|
|
Governmental facilities
Yes
|
Bars and Pubs
No
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
No
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
No
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Point-of-sale advertising
No
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
|
Retail product display
No
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
Yes
|
|
Internet advertising
Yes
|
Publicity of sponsorships
Yes
|
|
Free distribution
No
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
12
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
50%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
50%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
50%
|
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
Yes
|
| TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE | |
|---|---|
| PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES | TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE) |
|
In country currency
138.00
PHP
|
Total taxes
51%
|
|
In US dollars
2.48
USD
|
Total excise
40%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023
Last updated: May 23, 2022