Tobacco industry regulator ups fight vs illegal trade with int’l summit

The National Tobacco Administration kicks off its International Tobacco Summit at Seda Vertis North Hotel in Quezon City on Monday, January 27, 2025. Jown Manalo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is hoping to boost the fight against the illegal trade of the crop as it hosts an international industry summit in Quezon City.

The International Tobacco Summit kicked off Monday, January 27, at Seda Vertis North Hotel with the theme, “Advancing the Local Tobacco Industry and Combatting Illicit Trade.”

In her opening speech, NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez emphasized the conference’s goal of highlighting the tobacco industry’s economic significance, exploring growth opportunities, and strengthening partnerships to address the challenges of the illegal tobacco trade.

“The increasing illicit trade in tobacco is a growing concern, undermining our efforts and threatening the livelihoods of countless individuals,” Sanchez said.

“We need a holistic approach to tackle this problem, one that addresses not just the symptoms but also the root causes. A multifaceted approach that combines regulation, education, and community engagement,” she added.

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Sanchez stressed how the illegal tobacco trade negatively affects the livelihoods of 2.2 million Filipinos, including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their families.

She also explained the great impact of illicit tobacco sales on government revenues, which limits funding for essential public services.

“The continuing proliferation of illegal tobacco sales in the local market is causing a decline in government revenue. This reduction in funds limits the resources available for essential public services, particularly universal health care,” Sanchez noted.“Moreover, proceeds from illegal tobacco sales are often linked to organized crimes, further threatening national security,” she added.

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This year’s event marks the second international tobacco summit organized by the NTA.

Initially scheduled for October 23 to 24, 2024, the summit was postponed to January 27 to 28, 2025, due to inclement weather.

According to the NTA, the International Tobacco Summit’s opening day would focus on global trends, opportunities, and strategies to enhance the Philippine tobacco sector’s competitiveness in the global market.

The summit also seeks to address policy gaps, enforcement strategies, and potential collaborations with stakeholders, the tobacco industry regulator added.