A press briefing by the Consumer Choice Center explored the economic and public health implications of tobacco control policies in the Philippines. Experts discussed the financial burden of tobacco-related illnesses and advocated for harm reduction strategies. This approach could save billions, improve health outcomes, and align policies with consumer experiences.
The Consumer Choice Center recently organized a press briefing in the Philippines, focusing on missed opportunities in tobacco harm reduction under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Experts from seven countries convened to discuss the potential of harm reduction approaches in tobacco policy.
Christopher Cabuay of De la Salle University highlighted the financial toll tobacco-related illnesses take on the Philippines, costing roughly $9.8 billion annually. He argues that shifting even a portion of smokers to harm reduction methods could result in substantial economic savings.
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