Stringent rules on vape sought

The Philippines should consider joining other ASEAN nations that have implemented stricter regulations, including outright bans, on e-cigarettes and vapes, a public health advocacy group urged last week.

HealthJustice issued this call following Vietnam’s recent approval of a resolution prohibiting the production, trade, importation, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes starting in 2025.

With this move, Vietnam becomes part of a growing list of over 30 countries and jurisdictions worldwide that have outlawed electronic smoking devices.

Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei have long implemented comprehensive bans on e-cigarettes and vapes, serving as early leaders in the region.

These devices, often marketed as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, have raised significant health concerns. Health experts warn of their harmful effects, particularly on young people, as flavored e-liquids have contributed to a dramatic rise in adolescent vaping, exposing them to nicotine addiction and toxic chemicals.

A 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that approximately 1.6 million Filipino students aged 13 to 15—one in seven—use vapes.

The Philippines has already documented its first fatality linked to e-cigarette or vaping-use-associated lung injury (EVALI), which occurred last May. This underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to address the growing public health threat posed by vaping.