Stop the influence: Health advocates insist on a tobacco-free gov’t

Published by Health Justice on November 6, 2025

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Quezon City – Public health and child rights groups once again urged the government to end relationships with Big Tobacco and break free from its influence that stalls progress in effective policymaking. The groups renewed their call to safeguard the health of future generations as we observe the National Children’s Month and in anticipation of the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC COP 11) this November.

HealthJustice reiterated the alarming upward score of the Philippines in the 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference (TII) Index Report as evidence of the worsening tobacco industry influence under the current Marcos Jr. administration. Sadly, the 2025 TII Index score escalated to 70 from 60 in 2023–proof of the tobacco industry’s tighter grip of the government with its participation in policy development, corporate washing, and government partnerships.

“Every year, 112,000 Filipino lives are lost due to smoking, and the economy squanders P23.1 billion to smoking-related health expenses. This is the tragic cost of allowing the tobacco industry to weaken public health policy. The nation does not deserve weak laws and compromised reforms that protect business interests instead of the Filipino people,” emphasized Mary Ann Fernandez Mendoza, President of HealthJustice and former Civil Service Commissioner.

Mendoza further stated, “The interference of the tobacco industry in our health policies and through CSR activities has even worsened as revealed in the latest TII report. This will exacerbate unless the government and civil society will work together to end this industry that kills people. We demand that our government leaders exhibit true public service and good governance as stewards of the people’s health. Cut ties with the tobacco industry and uphold our obligations under the WHO FCTC. Our policymakers are duty-bound to defend lives, not private gain.”

The groups also echoed the recent warning by the Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) that governments should be vigilant against intensified tobacco industry tactics ahead of COP-11 this November in Geneva, Switzerland “with strategies varying from lobbying to outright attempts to manipulate delegations.”

SEATCA Executive Director Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo joined the call to challenge the Philippine government to reject tobacco industry influence.

“If the Philippine government is serious about protecting the health of all Filipinos, particularly the youth, then it must rise above complacency and stop promoting tobacco industry interests, including on the global stage. At the upcoming COP11, the Philippines should redeem itself as a tobacco control leader by championing measures to achieve a tobacco-free future, rather than be a mouthpiece for the industry and risking the country’s international reputation with a potential sixth Dirty Ashtray award,” said Dorotheo.

Meanwhile, Ma. Aurora Quilala, Convenor of the Child Rights Network (CRN), added “Every deliberate step by the tobacco industry to water down policies that regulate tobacco and nicotine products deprives our children of a healthier future. The Filipino youth deserve government leaders who put people’s health and welfare first over profit. It’s time to lead with integrity.”

The 2025 TII Index Report was officially launched on Thursday in Quezon City. The event was also graced by HealthJustice Board Member and former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan; former Health Secretary and President of the Association of DOH Retired Employees (ADOHRE) Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial; and Baguio City’s Smoke-free Task Force led by Dr. Donnabel Tubera-Panes. DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE