On 2 September 2020, SEATCA gathered public health experts, tobacco control advocates and government agencies online for a webinar to expose the tobacco industry’s smoke-free deception. 

The webinar entitled ‘#TheUnfilteredTruth Webinar Series: EXPOSED: The tobacco industry’s smoke-free deception’ moderated by SEATCA Executive Director, Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, featured several experts including Asian Consultancy on Tobacco Control Director, Dr. Judith Mackay, World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters Senior Advisor, Dr. Douglas Bettcher, SEATCA’s Smoke-free Program Manager, Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz; and Department of Health, Australia, Population Health and Sport Division, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Mr. David Laffan.   

The webinar also featured a government panel that discussed how the tobacco industry has been interfering in public health policies and aggressively and deceptively promoting supposedly ‘’smoke-free’ products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) as part of its revamped “smoke-free“ image.

The panel facilitated by WHO SEARO – Tobacco Free Initiative Regional Adviser, Dr. Jagdish Kaur, is composed of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, Joint Secretary Mr. Vikas Sheel; Health Promotion Board, Singapore CEO, Mr. Zee Yoong Kong; and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines, Director-General, Dr. Rolando Enrique Domingo. 

A wrap-up was given by WHO WPRO, Division of Healthy Environments and Populations Director, Dr. Hai-Rim Shin. 

SEATCA’s new report, “Still Defective: Asia Illicit Tobacco Indicator 2017 Report” was also presented during the event. 

Many thanks to everyone who attended this webinar and watch out for the next webinar SEATCA is hosting this coming August.