Phl among 20 nations with high smoking population

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is among the top 20 nations with high “smoking population,” amplifying the need to scale up anti-tobacco efforts in the country, according to the Department of Health.

Citing a study of the American Cancer Society and World Lung Foundation, DOH’s National Center for Health Promotion supervising health program officer Luz Tagunicar said Filipinos are among heavy smokers worldwide although the trend between males and females differs. 

Tagunicar said there has been a “slight improvement” in the ranking of Filipino male smokers from 2006 to 2008 but a “worsening situation” was seen among Filipino female smokers.

“We have improved our spot when it comes to the male smoking population. From sixth spot in 2006, it improved to ninth in 2008,” she said in a forum. 

The number of Filipino male smokers in 2008 was estimated at 17.6 million.

The list was topped by China with 311 million; followed by India, 229 million; Indonesia, 53.3 million; Russian Federation, 32.8 million; the United States, 32.4 million; Japan, 23 million; Bangladesh, 21.4 million; and Pakistan, 17.7 million.

But the study shows the number of female smokers is on rise as the country’s ranking for this sector went up from 26th to 16th from 2006 to 2008.

The US got the top slot with 23.6 million; followed by China, 13.5 million; India, 11.9 million; Russian Federation, 10.1 million; Brazil, 9.3 million; Germany, 8.1 million; France, 7.1 million; Japan, 6.9 million; United Kingdom, 6.4 million; Nauru, 4.9 million; Spain, 4.7 million; Turkey, 4.6 million; Poland, 4.34 million; Ukraine, 4.31 million; and Italy, 4.1 million.

Tagunicar said more Filipino women are getting hooked to smoking primarily because they have become the target of cigarette companies.

She said tobacco firms have promoted cigarettes as fashion accessories to entice women to smoke. 

According to Dr. Anthony Leachon, DOH consultant for non-communicable diseases, population and economy are also factors for the country’s inclusion in the list.

“Overall, it is related to the function of population and economy, it’s absolute number… The poorer you are, the more you smoke,” he added.

Leachon warned that a rise in cigarette consumption in the Philippines would also mean an increase in non-communicable diseases like stroke, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and diabetes.

Jo-ann Latuja, an economist from the anti-tobacco group Action for Economic Reform, said the country’s situation may improve if the prices of cigarettes are increased under House Bill 5727 or the sin tax reform bill.

“A 10 percent increase in prices will decrease consumption by 5.8 percent. Thus, for the most popular brand, a 76 percent increase in price will decrease consumption by 44 percent,” she said.

Since the price gap between the higher-priced and the lower-priced cigarettes will be reduced due to the shift to a simple tax structure, “down-shifting” of smokers to cheaper brands will be reduced.

“The tax increases are significant. For example, taxes for cigarettes packed by machine will rise from P2.75 to P12 in the first year and to P22 in the second year. The large increase in taxes will lower demand especially among the poor and the young and thus, curb smoking,” Latuja added.