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May 21, 2025Civil Society Statement on the Appointment of Mr. Dave Gomez as Head of the Presidential Communications Office
June 10, 2025
Public health advocates and child protection groups strongly reminded the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure strict enforcement of anti-smoking and anti-vaping policies, most importantly the smoking and vaping ban, in and near school premises ahead of the academic year 2025 and in time for No Smoking Month this June.
HealthJustice, together with its allies–Philippine Pediatric Society and Child Rights Network (CRN)–highlighted that tobacco and vape use contributes to over 112,000 deaths annually in the Philippines, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease study.
“As students return to school, we call on the Department of Education to enforce strict safeguards to protect minors against tobacco and vape use and advertising near school zones. We cannot let our children be exposed to tobacco and vape products that increase their risk of nicotine dependence and its associated noncommunicable diseases,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, Board Member of HealthJustice Philippines, and former Health Secretary.
The groups also raised concerns about the rising prevalence of cigarette and vape use among youth. About 4.8% of Filipinos aged 10 to 19 are cigarette smokers according to the 2023 Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) National Nutrition Survey, while 1 in every 7 Filipino students aged 13-15 years old is already using e-cigarette or vape based on the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).
“Children spend most of their time in school, where peer influence and social environments strongly shape their habits. Firm government and school policies against tobacco and vape help reinforce the message to the younger population that the use of these products are harmful and should not be normalized,” said Dr. Riz Gonzalez, Chairperson of the Tobacco Control Advocacy Group of Philippine Pediatric Society.
“We also call on parents and guardians to remain vigilant on tobacco and vape use among their children, since it can often be overlooked. We encourage them to provide nutritious meals and to motivate their children to engage in worthwhile sport activities. Doing so can contribute to improving their children’s physical and mental health, effectively reducing the appeal of using harmful substances to cope with stress or hunger,” Dr. Gonzalez added.
Section 9 of RA 11900 or Vape Law of 2022 prohibits the sale, promotion, advertising, and product demonstration of tobacco products within 100 meters from school premises or other public spaces frequented by minors.
“Education is compromised when learners are burdened by the harmful health effects of tobacco and vape products. Filipino children and youth have the right to know and must be taught that smoking kills and so does vaping which will never be a safe alternative. They also need to have access to a safe and healthy learning environment, and it is the Department of Education’s responsibility to provide that for them,” said Ms. Au Quilala, Spokesperson of Child Rights Network (CRN) and Deputy Executive Director of Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD).
The groups’ call comes just days after World No Tobacco Day, a yearly celebration to raise public awareness on the tobacco epidemic and its harmful health impacts.
“DepEd must do its part to ensure this smoking prevalence and vapedemic will not burden the future generations,” Quilala added.
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Contact person/s:
Mariz Amante Wee
Communications Officer, HealthJustice
+63998-885-1080 / +974-669-86655
Anelle Cortez
Project Coordinator, HealthJustice
+639178139696
