The second International Tobacco Summit was convened by the National Tobacco Authority of the Philippines, with the participation of the President, to strengthen the fight against the illegal cigarette trade and explore the development of the local cigarette industry.
Event Overview
On October 22, the official website of the Philippine Department of Agriculture announced that Belinda S. Sanchez served as Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) from October 23 to 24.
The 2nd International Cigarette Summit, held at Seda Vertis in Quezon City’s Diliman District, aimed to intensify efforts to curb the illegal cigarette trade and promote sustainable growth within the tobacco sector.
Presidential Participation and Stakeholder Engagement
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended the opening day of the summit as the keynote speaker. More than 200 representatives participated, including cigarette farmers, local and foreign tobacco companies, media figures, and other key stakeholders.
Summit Theme and Focus Areas
Held under the theme “Promoting the Local Cigarette Industry and Intensifying Efforts to Combat Illegal Trade,” the forum addressed the importance, opportunities, and challenges of the Philippine tobacco industry. It also introduced the government’s ongoing initiatives to counter the illegal cigarette market.
NTA’s Call for Stronger Policies and Enforcement
Director Belinda S. Sanchez emphasized the need for stronger national policies, enhanced regional cooperation, improved law enforcement mechanisms, and greater public awareness to tackle the illegal cigarette trade effectively.
She underscored that these measures are essential to maintaining national security and economic stability, noting the urgent need to coordinate efforts across all regions.
Economic Impact of the Illegal Cigarette Trade
According to the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the national government loses an estimated ₱100 billion (approximately USD 1.7 billion) in annual revenue due to illicit cigarette trade activities.
The National Tobacco Administration reported that about 2.2 million Filipinos depend on the tobacco industry for their livelihood, including more than 430,000 farmers and their families.
Background: First International Tobacco Summit
The NTA held its first International Tobacco Summit on August 2–3, 2023, which primarily focused on combating cigarette smuggling and the broader illicit tobacco trade. The second summit builds on these discussions, signaling continued national commitment to addressing this pervasive issue.
