nti-vaping organisation Bloomberg Philanthropies has been attempting to influence the Philippines ’ tobacco control policy , according to public health experts . University of Ottawa Centre for Health Law and Policy advisory committee chair Prof . David Sweanor said it happened when the body released funds to the country ’ s Food and Drugs Administration ( FDA ). He said the funding could take away the FDA ’ s impartiality when implementing guidelines on vaping and heated tobacco products ( HTPs ). Sweanor said : “ It is essential that regulatory bodies have the trust of the public . Accepting foreign

operations .” Bates said that Bloomberg is using his wealth and influence to promote his anti-vaping agenda and a ‘ quit or die ’ approach to tobacco control despite having very little public health experience . Meanwhile , Michelle Minton of the Competitive Enterprise Institute ( CEI ), said that several US philanthropists have dedicated huge resources to influencing the policy decisions of other countries . Minton said it was ‘ disturbing ’ that these individuals disregarded the needs and interests of local populations when ‘ imposing their moral agenda ’ in countries where smoking cessation options were limited . She said : “ American lobby groups continue to pressure authorities in those nations to ban the lower risk nicotine , denying people the choice to switch to products that

funding from sources with a vested could spare them from the death and

“ The duty of the Philippines interest in compromising the FDA ’ s disease caused by smoking .

independence can rapidly destroy

FDA is to look after the welfare

“ That ’ s not charity . It is colonialism

that trust . and a monstrous violation of

“ In this case , the money ultimately of Filipinos ” human rights .” Since 2006 , Michael

comes from a US entity with an abstinence-only agenda on low-risk alternatives to cigarettes .” In December 2020 , Representatives Deogracias Victor Savellano and Estrellita Suansing called for a Congressional probe into the FDA ’ s ‘ questionable ’ acceptance of private foreign funding . The inquiry seeks to address whether Bloomberg pressed for specific policies against the vape industry in disregard of the welfare of consumers . Former Action on Health ( ASH ) director , Clive Bates , said : “ Governments and their agencies should not take money from Bloomberg ’ s foundation or the worldwide complex of organizations that it funds . “ The duty of the Philippines FDA is to look after the welfare of Filipinos , not to take instructions from foreign advocacy

Bloomberg has donated more than $ 1 billion to support initiatives that reduce tobacco use in low and middle-income countries . The Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use is implemented through partner organisations , including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation and the World Health Organization ( WHO ). In 2007 , the University of Bath Tobacco Control Research Group received $ 20 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies to launch a global tobacco industry watchdog . Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products ( STOP ) is ‘ designed to understand , expose and counter the industry ’ s influence on key public health policies .’