CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Strengthening tobacco control through subnational initiatives: Lessons from the Philippines
 
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1
Tobacco Control Division, Vital Strategies, Manila, Philippines
 
2
College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
 
 
Publication date: 2025-06-23
 
 
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2025;23(Suppl 1):A280
 
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ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: The Philippines faces significant challenges in tobacco control due to industry resistance, limited local resources, and variability in enforcement capacity among local government units (LGUs). These challenges hinder the effective implementation of smoke-free policies and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS). Addressing these barriers is crucial to protecting public health and advancing the country's compliance with the WHO MPOWER framework.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: To address these challenges, subnational initiatives were strengthened through community engagement, capacity-building, and proactive enforcement measures. Comprehensive smoke-free ordinances were implemented in Baguio City, Mandaluyong City, Benguet, and Aklan provinces, supported by local enforcement teams trained to monitor and reduce public exposure to tobacco smoke and TAPS. More than 6000 individuals, including government officials and community members, were trained in tobacco control policy enforcement and implementation.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The interventions led to significant progress in tobacco control at the subnational level. Smoke-free environments expanded, and proactive enforcement of TAPS bans significantly reduced public exposure to tobacco advertisements. In Baguio City, the prevalence of tobacco use decreased substantially from 2014 to 2022, showcasing the effectiveness of these local measures. Community awareness campaigns further enhanced compliance with smoke-free ordinances, demonstrating the critical role of engaging local stakeholders.
CONCLUSIONS: The success of these initiatives highlights the critical importance of subnational actions in advancing tobacco control. By addressing local challenges through targeted capacity-building, legal support, and community engagement, these efforts provide a model for other regions. Strengthening local enforcement capacity and aligning subnational actions with national and global tobacco control strategies is essential to sustaining progress and protecting public health.
eISSN:1617-9625
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