The debate over vaping in the Philippines has resurfaced with renewed urgency after the Department of Health (DOH) raised alarm over what it describes as the “misleading marketing strategy” of vape products, an approach officials say is putting Filipino youth at risk.
In recent interviews, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa did not mince words. Despite laws prohibiting the sale of vape products to minors, many high school students are still able to access, and become addicted to, e-cigarettes.
The culprit, Herbosa suggests, lies partly in how these products are marketed.
Flavored variants, sleek designs, and youthful branding have made vapes appear less harmful, even trendy. For the DOH, this is a dangerous illusion. “Kasi, kapag nalulong ka na diyan sa vape ay ’di ka na makakaalis diyan,” Herbosa said in an interview on DZMM’s PINASigla.
“Kailangan either istriktuhan natin ’yong enforcement no’ng batas na pinasa natin, o baka mas madali, mag-total ban na lang tayo para wala nang mabili itong mga kabataan.”
Young, Vulnerable, and Targeted?
Health officials believe that some vape companies are intentionally designing products to appeal to young consumers. Fruity flavors, pastel packaging, and viral-style online ads undermine existing restrictions and fuel misconceptions that vaping is a harmless pastime.
This trend is troubling for a country where a significant portion of the population is under 25, and where nicotine addiction often begins in adolescence.
“Hindi sulit ’yong kinikita nating tax kaysa doon sa public health problems na idinudulot ng mga produktong ito, less harmful is still harmful,” Herbosa emphasized.
The DOH stance has sparked an outpouring of opinions online, with many netizens echoing the call for stronger action.
“Kahit pa siguro taasan ang tax, sa dami ng lulong sa sigarilyo at vape, siguradong mabibili pa rin. Kaya dapat ipatigil na ang mga manufacturing ng vape at sigarilyo,” one Facebook user commented, capturing a widely shared sentiment: that regulation may not be enough, and that a more decisive step might be necessary.
Others pointed out that secondhand smoke, whether from cigarettes or vapes, affects everyone, even those who choose not to use these products.
Regulation or Total Ban?
As the issue gains traction, the country finds itself at a critical crossroads. Should authorities double down on enforcing existing laws, especially those protecting minors? Or is it time to take the more drastic route, a nationwide ban on vape products altogether?
What is clear is that the vape debate is no longer just about personal choice; it is about public responsibility. And the country is being urged to act before another generation becomes dependent on products marketed as “cool,” “safe,” or “less harmful,” but are ultimately anything but.
