Ched Rick Gatchalian

Youth organizations and student leaders launch the TobaccOFF NOW! Youth Manifesto Against Tobacco Industry Interference in Pasig City on September 25, 2025. Handout

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Youth orgs sign manifesto urging stronger tobacco control

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759486987116Manifesto Launch 4.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Youth organizations and student leaders launch the TobaccOFF NOW! Youth Manifesto Against Tobacco Industry Interference in Pasig City on September 25, 2025. Handout </div>MANILA — Over 79 youth organizations have launched a manifesto denouncing what they call “tobacco industry interference” and urging the government to implement stronger protections and tighter tobacco control measures.The manifesto, titled “TobaccOFF NOW!”, aims to influence lawmakers to craft policies that would safeguard the youth from the harms of cigarette and nicotine products.“The launch of our youth manifesto is the beginning of a much bigger fight of the young people against tobacco industry interference,” said Vonn Vincent Tanchuan, campaign lead of the TobaccOFF NOW! Movement, said in a release. Signatories include organizations and student councils from Ateneo de Manila University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, Manila Central University, University of the Philippines Visayas, Visayas State University, West Visayas State University, Cebu Institute of Technology, Cebu Normal University, and Baliuag University, among others.&quot;We have seen the alarming rise of a new generation hooked on traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes/vapes, and other nicotine-based products, with one in seven Filipino youth having tried e-cigarettes/vapes at least once in their lives,&quot; the manifestation read, adding that it demands accountability from those part of tobacco industry.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/10/2/everyday-habits-that-may-affect-blood-sugar-1424">Health group urges PH gov&#x27;t to reject &#x27;greenwashing&#x27; of tobacco industry</a></div>Their demands: <ul data-end="2070" data-start="1566"><li data-end="1675" data-start="1566">Raise the minimum age for purchasing all nicotine-based products, including e-cigarettes, to 21 years old</li><li data-end="1768" data-start="1676">Eliminate flavors in vapes, heated tobacco products, nicotine pouches, and similar items</li><li data-end="1822" data-start="1769">Ban packaging designs that appeal to young people</li><li data-end="1930" data-start="1823">Impose stricter regulations on the distribution of nicotine products to keep them inaccessible to youth</li><li data-end="2020" data-start="1931">Enforce a comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship of nicotine-based products</li><li data-end="2070" data-start="2021">Increase taxes on all nicotine-based products</li></ul>The movement said it aims to gather at least 15,000 youth signatures for the manifesto by the end of 2025.The launch took place last Thursday in Pasig City.Last June, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is pushing the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/6/10/doh-pushes-for-law-vs-bringing-of-vapes-cigarettes-in-schools-1505">creation of a law penalizing those who will bring vapes and cigarettes</a> in school, citing reports of students using nicotine-based products outside campuses after class hours. &quot;Very important na maging policy muna siya… Dapat hindi sila nakakahawak at nakakagamit nitong vape products na ito,&quot; Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr. earlier said.The Philippine Tobacco Institute, meanwhile, noted that one in five cigarettes sold in the country is untaxed and unregulated. In some areas, such as Lanao del Sur, as many as nine out of ten cigarettes are linked to illicit trade.Authorities have also intensified their crackdown in recent months against the sale and distribution of unregistered vape products.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/3/2-arrested-in-pasay-for-selling-unregistered-vape-products-1509" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 arrested in Pasay for selling unregistered vape products</a></div>In the past, some Filipinos <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/7/some-pinoys-oppose-calls-to-ban-disposable-vapes-759">opposed calls to ban vape products</a>, arguing that vaping helps them cope or serves as their source of livelihood.

Over 79 youth organizations have launched a manifesto denouncing what they call “tobacco industry interference,” urging the government to implement stronger protections and tighter tobacco control measures.

Over 79 youth organizations have launched a manifesto denouncing what they call “tobacco industry interference,” urging the government to implement stronger protections and tighter tobacco control measures.