The Philippine Department of Health has expressed concern about the increase in tobacco and vape use among its residents, with the 2023 National Nutrition Survey showing that nicotine addiction among people aged 20 to 59 rose to 24.4% from 19% in 2021, while the country reported its first death from lung injury related to vape use.
Key points:
1. The Philippine Department of Health warns of rising use of tobacco and vapes.
2. Nicotine addiction is on the rise in the Philippines and tobacco use is highly associated with the leading cause of death in the country, according to the survey.
3. The Ministry of Health reports the first death linked to vaping.
Philippines DOH: Nicotine addiction rises to 24.4 percent
The Philippine Department of Health is concerned about the increasing use of tobacco and vapes among the country’s residents. The Star reported on April 6.
Citing the results of the 2023 National Nutrition Survey. The Ministry of Health noted that nicotine addiction caused by tobacco products remains a significant public health problem in the Philippines. The survey showed that nicotine addiction among people aged 20 to 59 increased from 19% in 2021 to 24.4% in 2023.
According to the Ministry of Health, tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that tobacco use kills more than 8 million people each year. According to the Philippine Bureau of Statistics, in 2023 and 2024, the top three causes of death in the country – heart disease, cancer and stroke – are all strongly linked to tobacco use.
The Philippine Department of Health reported that the country has recorded and publicized its first death from lung injury related to vape use. The patient was a 22-year-old male with no history of smoking or other bad behavior but had been vaping since childhood.
