Public health groups urged authorities to intensity its crackdown on illegal vape products rather than impose excessive restrictions on regulated alternatives, saying during a Senate hearing that stronger enforcement and balanced regulations are key to combating illicit trade.

“In reality your honors, at the heart of this discussion are not products, but people,” said Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of Quit for Good, as he urged lawmakers to consider the role of tobacco harm reduction in addressing smoking-related disease and death among adult smokers.

The discussion followed earlier calls from legitimate vape retailers and e-commerce platforms for stronger enforcement against illegal vape products and black-market sellers, instead of broader restrictions that could affect compliant businesses operating under existing regulations.

The Senate Committee on Health and Demography and the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, chaired by Risa Hontiveros, conducted the hearing as lawmakers reviewed proposals seeking amendments to Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vape Law.

Mata noted that smoking remains a major public health burden in the country despite ongoing anti-smoking efforts. He said scientific evidence consistently points to combustion, or the burning of tobacco, as the primary source of toxic chemicals associated with smoking-related illnesses.

According to Mata, smoke-free alternatives should always be viewed in relation to continued cigarette smoking among adults who are unable to quit nicotine use entirely.

He stressed, however, that smoke-free products are not risk-free and should not be used by minors or non-smokers.

“Let me be clear: these products are not risk-free, and they are not for youth or non-smokers. These products are meant for adult smokers. That is why regulation is critical,” he said.

Mata also presented to the committee a 2025 comparative study examining heated tobacco products and conventional cigarettes. The study, he noted, found that smoke-free products produced far lower levels of harmful chemicals than regular cigarettes because they heat tobacco instead of burning it.

“This study published in 2025, is a comparative study of heated tobacco products versus conventional cigarette smoke and shows that ‘burning’ causes the release of toxic compounds produced by high-temperature pyrolysis. Concentrations of harmful compounds decreased by up to 91.6%, confirming the reduction of levels of various known toxic and carcinogenic chemical components in the shift from cigarettes to smoke-free products,” he said.

He urged lawmakers and health officials to review scientific literature and international studies as part of the policy discussion.

“I invite fellow health advocates and officials to review the materials. Because in order for us to have genuine evidence-based dialogue, this is the only way we can do that,” he stressed.

Mata added that strong safeguards remain necessary to prevent youth uptake while preserving access for adult smokers seeking alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

“Strong safeguards, such as age restrictions, product standards, and enforcement, can help protect the youth while ensuring adult smokers have access to smoke-free products,” he said.

Meanwhile, Professor Michael Eric Castillo of CAPS and Partners presented a policy analysis cautioning lawmakers against adopting measures that may be difficult to enforce or could produce unintended consequences.

He said several proposed measures, including restrictions on online sales, advertising, sponsorships, and product visibility, may create implementation challenges.

“Implementation (of the proposed bill) is administratively heavy and unevenly enforceable, increasing the risk of selective enforcement,” Castillo said.

According to Castillo, restrictions that significantly limit access to regulated alternatives may weaken efforts encouraging adult smokers to move away from cigarettes. He also warned that excessive restrictions may increase the risk of consumers turning to illicit or unregulated markets.

“My worry, your honor, is that (the proposed bill) may undermine its own health objectives. First, by discouraging switching from cigarettes to alternative products, and by driving users to the illicit market,” he said.