ALBAY, Philippines – On May 31, World No Tobacco Day, local and regional groups called for a ban on vapes and other tobacco products packaged as “safer” alternatives to cigarettes, amid the prevalence of their use among youth and young adults in the Philippines.
“National government agencies should support enforcement by allocating funds for tobacco control and smoking cessation services, enforce a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising and promotions, develop behavioral change campaigns, and create a healthy environment for the youth,” said Ralph Degollacion, project manager of HealthJustice, a local group aiming to bridge law and health in the Philippines.
In a survey conducted by the Johns Hopkins Institute for Global Tobacco Control in 2023, it was found that over 1.21 million Filipino youth who tried smoking at a very young age — typically between 13 and 15 — transitioned to using vapes, while at least 1.63 million Filipino adults were also vape users.
“Smoking prevalence among the youth can be attributed mainly to the exponential growth in the use of vapes and heated tobacco products. Several independent scientific studies have confirmed that vaping is a gateway to smoking cigarettes or even dual use,” Degollacion told Rappler in an email.
