MANILA (Vietnam News/ANN): The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has raised the alarm about the rising prevalence of tobacco and vape usage among local people.
The department cited the results of the 2023 National Nutrition Survey showing that nicotine addiction from tobacco products remains a major public health concern in the country.
The rate of nicotine addiction among people aged 20-59 increased from 19% in 2021 to 24.4%, it added.
The DOH said tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates over 8 million annual deaths attributable to tobacco.
In the Philippines, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority for 2023 and 2024 indicated that the top three causes of death -- heart attacks, cancer, and strokes - are all linked to tobacco use.
The Philippines has already recorded and published its first case of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury-related death in a 22-year-old athletic male who had no history of smoking or other vices but started vaping at an early age. -- Vietnam News/ANN
