Health officials are renewing their call for a sweeping prohibition on vape products, arguing that the devices—once marketed as alternatives to cigarettes—now pose risks that, according to the Department of Health (DOH), may be even more dangerous than tobacco.
During a radio interview, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa pointed out that the technology’s evolution has taken a troubling turn. He noted that vaping was initially introduced to Filipinos as a supposed off-ramp from cigarette addiction, but later iterations of the product strayed far from that promise. “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.
Herbosa said newer mixtures have included substances that he described as more harmful than earlier formulas. “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.
The health chief also highlighted cases illustrating the risks. He cited the death of a young adult treated at the Philippine General Hospital. “In fact, ‘yong unang namatay niyan sa PGH (Philippine General Hospital), 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.
As the DOH presses for stronger action, Herbosa stressed that current safeguards are no longer adequate. He said government has to either tighten the enforcement of existing laws or resort to broader prohibitions. “Paano nangyayari ‘yon? 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 ‘tong kabataan,” he said.
He added that graphic warnings, which are required on cigarette packs, have lost their impact. “Ang pinasa natin sa batas, graphic warning label. So pag nag-label ng sigarilyo, kailangan may graphic pictures lang na may cancer, puso, at ugat na nabara. Tingin ko wala nang effect,” Herbosa said, pointing to measures used overseas. He cited Australia and New Zealand’s stricter packaging rules: “Sa Australia at New Zealand nag-pass sila ng batas na plain paper packaging, brown paper lang ang pakete nu’ng ano (yosi). Hindi na e-entice ‘yong mga maninigarilyo bumili no’n, ‘yong adik lang talaga sa sigarilyo.”
Herbosa also emphasized the public costs associated with nicotine addiction. “Tayo rin gumagastos doon. Taxes din natin ang pinambabayad para gamutin ‘yong mga adik sa nikotina,” he said, underscoring the broader impact on government resources.
He reiterated the long-standing global consensus against nicotine products. “Wala po talagang madudulot na maganda [ang paninigarilyo at vaping]. Kaya nagkaroon tayo ng framework convention on tobacco control. Ito ang kauna-unahang health treaty sa buong mundo na sinasabi na ang paninigarilyo ay masama sa kalusugan,” Herbosa said.
