THE FINAL PUFF: Why the 20th Congress Must Pass the Plain Packaging Bill Now

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Just days before the world marks No Tobacco Day, a growing storm of advocacy is sweeping through the country—loud, urgent, and unmistakable in its call: pass the Plain Packaging Bill now.

Health champions from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines, environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition, and regional experts from Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) are sounding the alarm. The target? The 20th Congress and its newly elected lawmakers, who now hold the power to protect generations from the mounting threat of tobacco and electronic smoking device (ESD) addiction.

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

At the heart of this advocacy lies a chilling truth: the tobacco and vape industries are preying on the Filipino youth.

“The flashy, deceptive packaging of cigarettes and vapes are designed to catch the eyes of our children,” warned Dr. Maricar Limpin, Executive Director of ASH Philippines. “Current laws are weak, with graphic health warnings placed only at the lower half of packs, easily hidden or ignored in retail displays.”

Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo of SEATCA adds an even more damning comparison: the Philippines trails behind its ASEAN neighbors in implementing effective deterrents. While countries like Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, and Brunei have adopted plain packaging—placing large, unavoidable health warnings at the top of tobacco products—the Philippines remains the only ASEAN country with warnings on the bottom half of the pack.

“This positioning is not just a design flaw; it’s a public health failure,” Dr. Dorotheo emphasized.

THE YOUTH ARE THE TARGET — AND THE VICTIMS

The statistics speak volumes. Smoking and vaping rates among Filipino youth are rising, with aggressive marketing, sweet flavorings, and packaging made to mimic candy and tech gadgets luring in a new generation of nicotine addicts.

“Every bright color and shiny logo on those packs is a trap,” declared Dr. Limpin. “They’re engineered for addiction. It’s time for Congress to strip these products of their seductive masks.”

Plain packaging, according to ASH Philippines, eliminates this visual manipulation. It standardizes font, removes branding and logos, and leaves behind only the stark reality of smoking’s deadly consequences.

ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: ANOTHER CASUALTY

This isn’t just a health crisis—it’s an environmental one too.

“Cigarette butts remain the most littered waste worldwide, and vapes have only made things worse,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition. “The shift to plain packaging won’t just curb consumption; it will reduce the amount of plastic, metal, and toxic e-waste polluting our landfills and oceans.”

Less addiction, they argue, means less pollution. It’s a win not just for lungs, but for landscapes, oceans, and future generations.

GOALS OF THE PLAIN PACKAGING BILL

This is not a shot in the dark. Globally tested and proven, plain packaging serves several goals:

Kills the allure of tobacco and vape products

Amplifies graphic health warnings

Prevents youth initiation into smoking or vaping

Reduces health care burdens from tobacco-related diseases

Cuts down on environmental waste

Supports law enforcement in identifying illicit or counterfeit products

Aligns with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

A CONGRESS PUT TO THE TEST

ASH Philippines and its allies are throwing down the gauntlet. The call is simple but forceful: File and pass the Plain Packaging Bill—now. Not next year. Not next Congress. Not after another youth becomes addicted.

The inclusion of vapes, heated tobacco, and all ESDs must be non-negotiable.

Legislators are being reminded of their sworn duty to protect the Filipino people, especially the young. The youth are not just tomorrow’s leaders—they are today’s most vulnerable targets.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW

As the world prepares to mark World No Tobacco Day, the Philippines stands at a crossroads. The 20th Congress has a rare and powerful chance to turn the tide. To stop Big Tobacco and Vape industries from glamorizing death. To push back against corporate greed with legislative courage.

This is more than a bill. It’s a declaration.

That our children’s lungs are worth more than tobacco profits.

That the health of our people cannot be sacrificed at the altar of marketing.

That silence, delay, and inaction are no longer acceptable.

Let this be the legacy of the 20th Congress: a bold, decisive stand for health, truth, and a smoke-free future.

Ipasa ang Plain Packaging Bill. Ngayon na.

Ross Flores Del Rosario is the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, an online media platform dedicated to empowering communities through information, transparency, and action.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.