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Using HTP in Philippines

Profile
Philippines Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Philippines Background
Profile
Philippines Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2026-07-01

Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) are regulated as consumer products and are permitted for sale and use in the Philippines. However, these products are required to have health warnings on their packaging, and the minimum legal age for their sale and purchase is 21 years. There are also restrictions on their use in public places.

The estimated number of adult current HTP users in the Philippines was approximately 76,115 people in 2021, representing an adult current-use prevalence of 0.1%. Among adult males, the current-use prevalence of HTP was estimated to be 0.2%.

Prevalence

References:
  1. 1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021. Fact Sheet, Phillippines 2021. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/philippines/gats/gats-philippines-national-2021-rev.pdf 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021. Fact Sheet, Phillippines 2021. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/philippines/gats/gats-philippines-national-2021-rev.pdf

Regulation

Year Value Reference/Comment
2021 Allowed 1A
2022 Allowed 1B A
References:
  1. Global Tobacco Control. Heated Tobacco. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/heated-tobacco/countries?country=400. Accessed: 16 June 2026.
  2. Republic Act No. 11900, RA 11900 (2022). https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2022/ra_11900_2022.html
Comments:
  1. E-cigarettes, HTPs and novelty tobacco products, such as snus and nicotine pouches, are currently covered by RA 11900, where they are considered consumer products unless they contain medical claims - in which case they first require FDA approval. E-cigarettes, HTPs and novelty tobacco products, such as snus and nicotine pouches, are currently covered by RA 11900, where they are considered consumer products unless they contain medical claims - in which case they first require FDA approval.
Yes
1 A
2022
References:
  1. Republic Act No. 11900, RA 11900 (2022). https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2022/ra_11900_2022.html
Comments:
  1. E-cigarettes, HTPs and novelty tobacco products, such as snus and nicotine pouches, are currently covered by RA 11900, where they are considered consumer products unless they contain medical claims - in which case they first require FDA approval. E-cigarettes, HTPs and novelty tobacco products, such as snus and nicotine pouches, are currently covered by RA 11900, where they are considered consumer products unless they contain medical claims - in which case they first require FDA approval.

Availability

References:
  1. Global Tobacco Control. Heated Tobacco. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/heated-tobacco/countries?country=400. Accessed: 16 June 2026.
  2. Philip Morris International website. Available at: https://www.pmi.com/smoke-free-products/iqos-our-tobacco-heating-system

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  1. WHO. Outstanding contributions to tobacco control in the Western Pacific recognized with World No Tobacco Day awards. Available at: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/newsroom/feature-stories/item/outstanding-contributions-to-tobacco-control-in-the-western-pacific-recognized-with-world-no-tobacco-day-awards. Accessed: 16 June 2026.
  2. Global Tobacco Control. Heated Tobacco. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/heated-tobacco/countries?country=400. Accessed: 16 June 2026.

Publications

Nov
2023

Tobacco harm reduction consumer advocacy organisations

Tobacco harm reduction consumer advocacy organisations play a vital role in maintaining access to safer nicotine products around the world. Here we explore the development, role and importance of these grassroots groups.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.