In light of the alarming tuberculosis (TB) crisis in Tondo, Manila, the Philippines Smoke-Free Movement (PSFM) is calling on Manila City Mayor Dr. Honey Lacuna to pass a comprehensive ordinance combating smoking and vaping. This urgent appeal follows reports from Médicins Sans Frontières (MSF), which revealed that 1,280 residents in Tondo had been diagnosed with TB, reflecting a local positivity rate of 4.3%, significantly higher than the national average of 3%.
PSFM National Coordinator Rizza Duro stressed the critical need to address smoking and vaping, which are well-known risk factors that compromise lung health and exacerbate the vulnerability to diseases like TB.
“Smoking and vaping damage the lungs and make it easier for tuberculosis to spread. We know that the council is on break, but this is a good time to reflect on these issues and urgently plan to pass an ordinance when sessions resume. Manila needs strong smoke-free and vape-free measures now, especially for vulnerable areas like Tondo,” Duro said.
“Local governments have a duty to reduce tobacco use and nicotine addiction in order to protect and promote public health. TB is much better controlled with strong policy measures to control smoking and e-cigarette use, which perpetuate the cycles of disease and poverty,” said Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) Executive Director Dr Ulysses Dorotheo, further stressing that prevention is just as critical as treatment.
“Efforts to treat TB are commendable and necessary, but a robust ordinance controlling smoking and e-cigarette use will significantly reduce the prevalence of respiratory illnesses and alleviate the strain on Manila’s healthcare system,” Dorotheo added.
Tondo, Manila Community Leader Remy Cabello expressed confidence in Mayor Lacuna’s leadership.
“As a doctor, we trust Mayor Lacuna’s dedication to public health. By passing the ordinance, she can create a lasting legacy that saves lives and secures Manila’s future generations,” Cabello said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the Philippines remains among the top 10 countries with the highest TB burden, with 739,000 cases recorded in 2024. #
