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PH fifth "Dirty Ashtray" award: During the last session day of the 19th Congress, Senate Blue Ribbon Chairperson Senator Pia Cayetano delivered the Chairperson’s report on the Committee’s inquiry into the Philippines receiving its fifth “Dirty Ashtray” Award at the WHO FCTC COP10.

She highlighted the Committee's findings on the Philippine delegation’s behavior that led to the country’s fifth “Dirty Ashtray” award, which was issued for allegedly echoing tobacco industry positions and delaying global health discussions. Her report covers questionable regulatory actions by the Department of Trade and Industry, the agency tasked to regulate vapes under the law as well as recommendations for further investigation on the use of public funds.

Sen. Cayetano emphasized the urgent need to restore the Department of Health's leadership in the upcoming COPs and tobacco control policy, return vape regulation to the Food and Drug Administration, and amend laws that compromised public health, especially that of the youth.

“We owe it to the next generation to guard them against an industry that seeks to profit at the expense of their health and safety,” she said.