Manila, Sept. 3 -- As government measures to discourage more people from smoking remain futile, advocates of alternative options underscore the need for support to lessen health and economic costs.

A study released by Christopher James Cabuay, De La Salle University associate professor, this year, cited data from the US Food and Drug Administration that says non-combusted alternatives (NCAs) like vape has an average of 70 percent lower toxicity compared to heated tobacco products.

Cabuay, in a briefing in Makati City Wednesday, said total cost of tobacco-related illnesses accounts for around 2.48 percent of the Philippines' gross domestic product (GDP), amounting to around PHP563 billion or USD9.8 billion, in 2018.

He traced this cost ...