Philippine DOH and Senators Push for Total Vape Ban
The Philippine Department of Health (DOH), backed by prominent senators, is urgently calling for a total ban on vape products. This aggressive push follows revelations that current regulations have failed to stop a dramatic surge in youth nicotine addiction, with adolescents easily bypassing online age restrictions.
During a recent Senate Committee on Health hearing to review proposed vaping regulations, officials reassessed the effectiveness of the 2022 Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. Lawmakers concluded that the previous assumption that safeguards could adequately control access was deeply flawed.
Senator Risa Hontiveros noted a severe disconnect between policy design and reality. She highlighted that youths as young as 13 are easily acquiring attractive and affordable vapes online. With a simple click of an “I am 18” button or a private message on social media, minors can secure deliveries with zero accountability.
To demonstrate this regulatory gap, Dr. Dominic Maddumba of the DOH Health Promotion Bureau revealed that his team successfully purchased vapes on online apps using fake age verification and altered keywords (such as “V P E”) to evade platform restrictions.
“Even though there are regulations and restrictions on online sales, they can’t keep up with our pace,” Dr. Maddumba stated. He concluded that a total ban is the most logical step for enforcement, adding that if prohibition fails, flavors must be limited to plain tobacco to reduce their appeal to minors.
Senator Pia Cayetano supported the ban, citing alarming data from the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) regarding adolescent e-cigarette use.
| Year | Adolescent E-Cigarette Use Rate (Philippines) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 0.08% |
| 2023 | 39.9% |
Cayetano also pointed out that the Philippines is lagging behind its regional neighbors in protecting youth health. Eight Southeast Asian countries—Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Myanmar—have already shifted from restriction policies to total prohibition.
- Read more: Philippines DOH Pushes for Nationwide Total Vape Ban
- News source: Senators back DOH’s call for total ban on vape products
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