The Tobacco Control and Governance team of the Ateneo Policy Center recently published a paper entitled “An analysis of flavor descriptors on tobacco products in the Philippines: Regulatory implications and lessons for low- and middle-income countries” in the peer-reviewed journal Globalization and Health.

Historically, tobacco companies have used flavoring agents to enhance the appeal of tobacco consumption, encourage initiation and experimentation of tobacco use, and sustain tobacco use. However, the Philippines currently does not regulate flavored tobacco products, despite the increasing market shares of flavored tobacco products and novel technologies such as crushable capsules.

Research and Project Assistants Samantha Ackary and Patrik Cabrera, Program Manager Alen Santiago, and Non-Resident Research Fellow Gayle Amul, PhD analyzed 106 cigarette and cigar products from major cities across the country, revealing widespread use of flavor descriptors and imagery. The team identified five main categories of flavors: menthol, concept descriptors, tobacco, beverages, and other flavors.

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The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive regulation, including a potential ban on flavored tobacco products and the adoption of plain packaging to curb their appeal. 

This study is an updated examination of the landscape of flavored tobacco products conducted by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control in 2016.