Tobacco firms’ influence in PH and Southeast Asia

The Philippines is among the countries in Southeast Asia where tobacco companies enjoy unregulated influence over policies affecting their industry. With a score of 71, the Philippines ranks 3rd in the Tobacco Industry Interference Index. The Philippines follows Indonesia (78) and Malaysia (72). Following the Philippines are Cambodia (68), Lao PDR (61), Thailand (51) and Brunei (29). This indicates the Philippines is failing to implement a global treaty on tobacco control, which seeks to limit interference by tobacco industry in the implementation of health policies. The index found that there is a high level of unnecessary government interaction with the tobacco industry, like corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and participation in policy development.

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