Text by Jennifer Manongdo
Photos by National Institutes of Health – Health Promotion Program

Monthly alcohol consumption among 10 to 19-year-old Filipinos doubled from 2021 to 2023, according to the latest episode of the webinar series “Unbotting the Truth” organized by the National Institutes of Health–Health Promotion Program (NIH-HPP) on April 9, 2025. 

The data was presented by Dr. Donnabel Tubera-Panes, Medical Officer IV of Baguio City Health Services Office, based on the National Nutrition Survey and analyzed by the Action for Economic Reforms (AER). The Sin Tax Coalition termed this striking occurrence an “alcohol epidemic” among Gen Zs. 

Drinking among the juvenile population is associated with impaired brain functions such as reduced emotional and behavioral control, reduced coordination, slowed breathing, and slowed heart rate. This may lead to road accidents, violence, drug abuse, unsafe sex, and binge drinking. Additionally, long-term effects of alcohol consumption among the youth lead to increased risk of anxiety and depression, brain damage, heart problems, liver problems, obesity and diabetes, malnutrition, cancer, and serious birth defects if used during pregnancy. 

Citing 2015 data from the Global Student Health Survey of the Department of Health (DOH), Dr. Diana Payawal, chair of the Committee of Hepatology at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, revealed that almost 60% or 70% drink before age 14.

“This is worrisome. Some of these patients actually drink with friends…they are allowed to drink alcohol at home because they think that there is a benefit of alcohol, and when you drink inside the house, it’s fine,” she said.

Dr. Payawal also highlighted that advertisements glamorize alcohol consumption, contributing to increased drinking among men and women. In particular, she criticized the practice of celebrating Oktoberfest in the Philippines—a German tradition with political roots but without real connection to the country. However, persistent advertising effectively normalized the celebration of Oktoberfest among local partygoers, turning it into just another excuse to consume alcohol.

She emphasized that an increased excise tax on alcohol would lead to higher prices and decreased consumption, just like in the case of cigarettes.

Citing an infographic published by the Philippine Department of Finance and a study done by Nutt et al. (2010), labeling alcohol as “the most dangerous drug,” Dr. Panes agreed that raising sin taxes on alcohol would make a difference in the population’s drinking behaviors and would lessen hospitalizations resulting from alcohol-related diseases. In 2019, there were 2.6 million deaths attributed to alcohol, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue through policy and taxation.

In conclusion, advocates stressed that no level of alcohol consumption is truly safe. To reduce the risk of disease and protect quality of life, they urged the public to choose an alcohol-free lifestyle. They also called on the government to strengthen public health measures by increasing excise taxes on alcohol, as well as other harmful substances such as tobacco and vape products, all of which pose significant threats to the health of the Filipino people.#

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