The Department of Agriculture (DA) touted that using Philippine tobacco in smoke-free products could boost local leaf production and Filipino farmers’ earnings.
“I understand that local leaf is being considered for inclusion in the production of smoke-free products, including heated tobacco sticks in the new manufacturing lines,” Agriculture Secretary FranciscoTiu Laurel Jr. said.
“I’m confident that our local tobacco leaf will be able to meet this new demand,” he added.
The agri chief’s statement comes as leading cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris International (PMI) expands its local affiliate PMFTC Inc.’s factory in Tanauan, Batangas.
The new factory is set to produce specially designed tobacco sticks for PMI’s smoke-free products.
The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) said nearly 2.2 million Filipinos bank on the tobacco industry, including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their families.
However, the NTA stated that the total volume of locally produced tobacco leaves only constitutes 35 percent of the leaf requirement of tobacco manufacturers, indicating the steady decline in leaf production needed to boost farmers’ earnings.
“Considering the continuing demand for Philippine tobacco exports, the challenge is for us to work together – introduce technological advancements and internationally accepted best practices – to increase and sustain quality domestic production of tobacco leaf,” the agri chief said.
