TECH4GOOD
The Philippines has long struggled with trying to reverse the relatively high rate of smoking among Filipinos. The Department of Health has had several high-profile campaigns to address the alarming situation. Republic Act No. 10643 was passed to mandate visual health warnings on tobacco products. These initiatives seem to work, as recent data indicates a notable decline in traditional tobacco use.
However, we are beginning to see a significant shift in smoking habits, with an alarming increase in the use of vapes or e-cigarettes, particularly among the youth, which is raising serious public health concerns. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) shows that the use of vapes has surpassed the smoking rate of regular cigarettes. The shift indicates that, while older generations are beginning to quit traditional smoking, younger individuals are increasingly turning to vaping.
For somebody who has been smoking for almost 50 years, I know quitting smoking can be very challenging. I have gone through a gamut of methods to stop the habit. From nicotine replacement therapy, filters that were supposed to make a smoker gradually withdraw from nicotine addiction, behavioral therapy, quit-smoking programs, and acupuncture. Finally, it was a coldturkey decision that made me stop smoking. But that was before e-cigarettes came into the picture. The result would have been different if they had been available when I was trying to quit.
What is making vaping popular is the notion that it is a healthier alternative to smoking. We are flooded with aggressive and well-designed marketing campaigns that tell us that vaping is a step toward quitting entirely. Those misleading campaigns are directed toward our nicotine addiction, telling us that it is a safer way to get our nicotine shots without the tar and other harmful by products usually associated with smoking.
One of the most potent cultural factors driving vaping among teenagers is peer influence. Many young Filipinos see vaping as something cool to do because it creates a sense of sophistication, contrasting with the traditional image of cigarette smoking. Initially unappealing, vaping products have been redesigned to be more attractive and colorful, making them more popular with young people. Students are now seen displaying various pods and vapes whenever they are out of school campuses. They also come in various designs, flavors, and technologies, making them more appealing to young people seeking new experiences.
While smoking has become increasingly stigmatized in many public spaces, vaping is often seen as more discreet and less offensive to bystanders. This perception, coupled with less stringent regulations in some areas, has contributed to the normalization of vaping in social settings. There is even this recent picture of a high government official that went viral where he is seen vaping inside a government office, although, for some people like myself, it looked more like an asthma inhaler.
Although the sale of vapes has been banned in major e-commerce platforms, it is still available online, which has been cited as the most common access point for students to buy these products. The recent easing of vape regulations has made it more accessible to anyone. These include lowering the minimum age for the purchase of vapes. Regulatory oversight has also been transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry from the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health. Policymakers must prioritize public health over economic interests by enforcing stricter regulations on advertising and sales practices targeted at young people.
Addressing the alarming increase in vape users requires a multi-pronged approach involving regulation, education, and cessation support. We need to do a better job of doing public health campaigns that are essential to educate the public about the potential health risks of vaping. These campaigns should target all age groups, particularly youth, and emphasize the addictive nature of nicotine and the potential long-term health consequences of vaping.
Stricter regulations on the marketing, selling, and distributing of vaping products are crucial. This includes restricting advertising that targets youth, implementing age verification measures, and regulating the content and labeling of liquid additives. Tax policies can also be used to discourage vaping, similar to the taxation of traditional cigarettes.
Providing support for individuals who want to quit smoking or vaping is essential. Smoking cessation programs should be made more accessible and affordable, especially in schools, offering counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and other resources to help individuals quit.
Remember, quitting nicotine addiction is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. Finding the method that best suits one’s needs and preferences is essential. A vaper should take it one step at a time and should not hesitate to seek help—each day without smoking is a step towards better health—and better health results in a better community.
(The author is an executive member of the National Innovation Council, lead convener of the Alliance for Technology Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), vice president of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines, and vice president of UP System Information Technology Foundation. [email protected])