Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa is urging a “total ban” on vape products in the Philippines, citing deceptive marketing targeted at Filipino youth and the health risks posed by harmful chemicals found in these devices.
In a radio interview on Saturday, November 22, Herbosa said vaping was initially promoted as a “healthier option” to help smokers overcome nicotine addiction. Over time, however, he said the market shifted toward products that carry even more damaging chemicals.
“Noong una, na-promote ‘yang vape as a way to get away from cigarette, para mahinto mo ‘yong addiction mo sa cigarette, madi-decrease mo ‘yon nicotine content, eventually, hindi na,” he said.
“Pero napalitan nila ng ibang produkto na apparently, mas masama pa. So, ‘yong sabi nila noong una, hanggang ngayon, mina-market na vaping is ‘less harmful than cigarette smoking.’ ‘Less harmful’ is still harmful,” he added.
Herbosa recalled that the country’s first recorded vape-related death involved a 25-year-old who suffered a heart attack after starting to vape at age 14.
“In fact, ‘yong unang namatay niyan sa PGH, 25, 26 years old, [dahil sa] heart attack. 14 years old siya nag-umpisa, eh di iligal na ‘yon. Four years before the legal age, nakakapag-vape na siya,” he said.
He stressed the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws—or possibly a total ban—to curb rising youth access.
“Paano nangyayari ‘yon? Kailangan either istritohan natin ‘yong enforcement no’ng batas na pinasa natin o baka mas madali mag-total ban na lang tayo para wala nang mabili ‘tong kabataan,” Herbosa proposed.
The Health Chief also pushed for plain packaging for cigarettes, noting that current graphic warning labels may no longer be effective.
“Ang pinasa natin sa batas, graphic warning label… Tingin ko wala nang effect. So, we need to follow what other countries did… plain paper packaging,” he said, citing Australia and New Zealand as examples.
Herbosa said that banning vapes and enforcing plain packaging could significantly reduce government spending on illnesses linked to smoking and vaping.
“Tayo rin gumagastos doon. Taxes din natin ang pinambabayad para gamutin ‘yong mga adik sa nikotina,” he noted.
He ended the interview by reiterating that both smoking and vaping bring no health benefits.
“Wala po talagang madudulot na maganda [ang paninigarilyo at vaping]… Ito ang kauna-unahang health treaty sa buong mundo na sinasabi [na] ang paninigarilyo ay masama sa kalusugan,” Herbosa reminded the public.