DOH pushes total vape ban amid rising youth use, misleading ads
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) is calling for a nationwide total ban on vape products, warning that the devices—often marketed as safer, trendier, and even “nicotine-free” alternatives to cigarettes—pose serious and long-term health risks.
In a statement, the DOH slammed vape advertising campaigns that portray the products as harmless substitutes to smoking. “Madalas na sinasabing walang nikotina at puwedeng alternatibo sa sigarilyo ang vape, pero puno ng kemikal at mapanganib ang usok at ang mismong aparato,” the agency said.
The health department stressed that vape liquids and the devices themselves contain harmful chemicals linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and lung injury. Health experts have also warned of the risks of device malfunctions and long-term exposure to heated aerosols.
Youth hooked on flavors, colors
A growing concern for the DOH is how vape companies aggressively market to young people. From candy-like flavors to neon-colored packaging, the products are designed to appeal to teenagers, the agency said.
The numbers paint a disturbing picture. Data from the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey show that 7 out of 10 Filipino youths aged 13 to 15 have used vape products—a staggering statistic in a country where tobacco-related illnesses remain among the top killers.
The DOH also confirmed that the Philippines recorded its first vape-related death last year, after a young user developed fatal complications following two years of vaping.
Stronger international collaboration
As the health risks mount, the government is stepping up coordination with global health bodies. The DOH said it is intensifying its participation in the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which guides countries in regulating tobacco and emerging nicotine products.
Locally, the DOH Health Promotion Bureau continues to work with schools, workplaces, and communities to counter misinformation about vaping and raise awareness of its dangers.
A call for decisive action
The renewed push for a total ban comes as vape shops proliferate across cities and towns, taking advantage of regulatory loopholes and an increasingly younger market.
For public health advocates, the message is clear: without decisive enforcement and stronger regulations, the Philippines risks nurturing a new generation addicted not to cigarettes—but to the sleek, flavored, and equally dangerous devices of the vaping industry.
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