PH SHOULD FOLLOW COUNTRIES THAT STRICTLY REGULATE OR BAN VAPES – HERBOSA
Metro Manila, Philippines – Vaping is becoming an urgent health threat, especially among the youth, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Thursday, during the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on the Department of Health’s (DOH) proposed 2026 budget.
“When we increased the price of cigarettes, bumaba ang smoking prevalence from 27% down to 19%. Unfortunately, nauso naman po ang vaping. Ngayon mas maraming kababayan natin ang nalululong sa vaping which we all know now in health sciences na mayroong bad effects sa health,” Herbosa said. (“When we increased the price of cigarettes, smoking prevalence went down from 27% to 19%. Unfortunately, vaping became popular. Now, more Filipinos are hooked on vaping, which we all know in health sciences has bad effects on health.”)
When asked whether tobacco control is DOH’s priority, Secretary Herbosa agreed and expressed concern over the growing use of vapes among minors. “Sa batas natin [ang] below 18 [years old] ay bawal mag-vape pero [kapag] naglalakad ako sa labas nakakakita ako ng naka-high school uniform [at] may nakasabit na vape device sa kanilang leeg,” he added. (“Under our law, those below 18 years old are prohibited from vaping, but when I walk outside, I see high school students walking with vape devices hanging from their necks.”)
According to the Health Secretary, 46 countries have already banned or strictly regulated the use of vapes. The DOH has signified its support should a similar bill be filed. “Hopefully, we can also support such activity [in the Philippines] as long as it contributes to the health of our youth,” Secretary Herbosa emphasized.
Herbosa reaffirmed that the DOH remains committed to reducing smoking and vaping rates as part of the country’s obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), a public health treaty that addresses the global tobacco epidemic. As a party to the WHO FCTC, the Philippines should strengthen measures to protect present and future generations from the severe health, social, environmental, and economic consequences of tobacco.
Representative Jernie Jett Nisay of the Pusong Pinoy partylist echoed the DOH’s stance and also stressed the need for more government resources for tobacco control. During the hearing, he said, “Sana madagdagan po natin iyang budget allocated for tobacco control kasi base sa Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), tumaas ulit ang rates sa smoking.” (“I hope we can increase the budget allocated for tobacco control because, based on FNRI data, smoking rates have once again risen.”)
Public health advocates also welcomed the DOH’s commitment to stronger tobacco control. “Vapes and e-cigarettes are being falsely claimed as healthier alternatives to regular cigarettes. We agree with Secretary Herbosa that we need stronger information campaigns that reach the youth directly, so we do not lose another generation to tobacco and vape addiction,” said Atty. Sophia San Luis, Executive Director of the public interest law group ImagineLaw. ###
