Senator Pia Cayetano hailed the Supreme Court’s final ruling granting the Food and Drug Administration the jurisdiction to regulate tobacco products.

The SC had denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Philippine Tobacco Institute, Inc. which claimed that the Inter-Agency Committee Tobacco (IAC-Tobacco) has exclusive jurisdiction over tobacco products.

“We welcome the Supreme Court's decision affirming with finality the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulatory authority over the health aspects of tobacco products,” Cayetano said in a statement.

“This ruling marks the end of a 15-year battle that began when we passed the FDA Law in 2009,” she stressed.

Cayetano noted that for too long, the tobacco industry has attempted to exempt itself from FDA regulation, despite the fact that everyday products like shampoo, toothpaste, and household items are subject to FDA oversight.

She said this final ruling of SC definitively made clear that tobacco products, which have profound health implications, must be regulated by the agency specifically mandated to protect public health.

“The Supreme Court's decision aligns with our international commitments under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and reinforces our duty to prioritize public health protection over industry interests,” she said.

“This ruling provides clear direction for future policy-making regarding tobacco products and their health impacts on the Filipino people,” added the senator.

“Our priority remains the same - to protect and uphold the health of all Filipinos, especially the youth who are being targeted by tobacco companies. In this we will remain vigilant that science-backed health guidelines will be the primary basis for regulation of all tobacco products, including newer ones like vapes and e-cigarettes,” she further assured.

With the SC’s decision, Cayetano said she expects the ruling to “be exercised fully to protect public health.”