The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, April 11, expressed its concern over the "advertisement tactics" in the vape industry.
“Yung vape industry naman, kapag nakita niyo ‘yung mga advertisement, may cartoons pa eh– pang attraction talaga ng bata (The vape industry, when you see their advertisements, even includes cartoons - clearly targeting children's attraction),” DOH Secretary Teddy Herbosa said in a media forum at the Health Emergency Management Bureau Office in Manila.
In the said forum, it was reiterated that even though vape or e-cigarettes are registered under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), vaping is only allowed for those aged 18 and above.
Under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 11900 of 2022 (An Act Regulating The Importation, Manufacture, Sale, Packaging, Distribution, Use, And Communication Of Vaporized Nicotine And Non-Nicotine Products, And Novel Tobacco Products), it is prohibited for individuals aged 17 and below to buy or sell Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products.
“The minimum allowable age for the purchase, sale and use of Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their devices, or Novel Tobacco Products shall be 18 years old,” penned in the law.
But this is not always the case, as Herbosa cited examples of highschool students using vape or e-cigarettes.
“But if you go outside, you'll see kids in highschool uniforms with what looks like a necklace around their necks, but it's actually emitting smoke,” the health secretary said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Due to these incidents, Herbosa is planning to cooperate with the Department of Education (DepEd) to educate the youth on the negative effects of using these devices.
He then pointed out the E-cigarette or Vaping use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) to remind the public of the negative effects of vaping or using e-cigarettes.
"When your lungs are damaged by vaping, that's irreversible,” Herbosa said.
Children buy vape, e-cigarette online
Furthermore, Herbosa shared what he discovered from his curious inquiries.
“But when I asked around, you know what I discovered? Kids don't buy vapes at stores. You know where they buy them? Online,” he said.
From May 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, The Philippine National Police (PNP) apprehended 6,700 for vaping in public places.
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Herbosa then reminded the parents to "stop the kids from vaping."
“So, this is what I have to battle, my job is to protect the health of Filipino children,” he underscored.