SC affirms FDA's power to regulate tobacco products

The Supreme Court has affirmed the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to regulate the health aspects of tobacco products, including heated and novel products like vapes.

The High Court denied a motion for reconsideration filed by the Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, upholding its 2021 decision.

The PTI had previously argued that the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC-Tobacco) held exclusive jurisdiction over tobacco products, challenging a provision in the FDA Act's implementing rules.

However, the Supreme Court clarified that the FDA's authority is consistent with the Philippines' commitments to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and that the IAC-Tobacco does not possess exclusive jurisdiction.

A health group, HealthJustice, has lauded the decision as a landmark triumph in reducing tobacco consumption and its deadly consequences, particularly among the youth.

HealthJustice highlighted that tobacco consumption causes over 110,000 deaths annually in the Philippines and results in more than PHP215 billion in economic losses each year.

The group emphasized that the decision removes any doubt for the Department of Health (DOH) and FDA to continue protecting public health from the tobacco industry's harmful products.

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