The Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, through its Board of Trustees, has signed and expressed full support for the Position Paper of Philippine Medical Specialty Societies. This paper was created in preparation for the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which will be held from November 17–22, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the world's first public health treaty, which entered into force on February 27, 2005. It remains a globally relevant, evidence-based public health strategy that facilitates accountability and cross-sectoral action on the tobacco epidemic. The treaty has been instrumental in averting at least 28.3 million preventable tobacco-related deaths worldwide between 2007 and 2020. In the Philippines, the alignment of national law with this treaty has resulted in a 34% relative reduction in adult smoking prevalence between 2009 and 2022.
The PSPHP strongly urges the Philippine delegation to adopt the draft decisions proposed in the COP11 documents. These decisions will strengthen and accelerate the achievement of the FCTC's objectives, moving beyond just controlling the harms of tobacco to eliminating them. This forward-looking approach is crucial as the tobacco industry continually adapts to circumvent current regulatory measures.
The actions and commitments of the Philippine delegation at COP11 can spur a global momentum of good governance and instigate domestic reforms that will bring the country closer to the tobacco endgame. This is directly aligned with international commitments toward SDG3: Good Health and Well-Being, and the nation's 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan.
The PSPHP is hopeful that the Philippine delegation will strongly consider these constructive comments, acting in solidarity for the health of our future generation and the collective health interests of the Asia Pacific region.
