PH Lagging Behind ASEAN as Lawmakers Dither: Civil Society Demands Absolute Vape Ban
February 28, 2026Youth groups call for absolute vape ban in PH
April 7, 2026
We urge His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congress to immediately enact a ban on vape products in the country. Doing so will rectify the grievous public health mistake of legalizing them, stop the normalization of nicotine addiction in our communities, and uphold the right to health of current and future Filipinos to be free from these harmful and addictive products.
Eight (8) ASEAN countries have imposed a ban on vapes to protect their youth and public health concerns. The nicotine and other harmful chemicals in vape products can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and lung illnesses. Youth use is rising creating a new generation of nicotine addicts. Vapes, contrary to the claims of the tobacco industry, are not proven safer than traditional cigarettes. In fact, vapes are even more addictive, considering their higher concentration of nicotine and efficient delivery mechanism.
The Department of Health, through Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, called for a total ban on vape products, describing them as poison. He rightfully questioned the logic of giving this poison to Filipinos and the youth.
The Department of Trade and Industry recognizes and attempts to address the dangers of vape products being “laced and/or repurposed as media for the use of harmful illegal substances” with its issuance of a draft regulation banning the sale and distribution of vape products with open systems.
These twin laudable efforts and initiatives of the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry should be backed by strong policy action on the part of Congress through the swift passage of a law banning vapes in the country. These efforts alone are not enough to save our youth from these harmful and addictive products.
Alarmingly, the current surge in vaping reverses the hard-won progress achieved through decades of tobacco control efforts in our country. We are losing ground compared to our ASEAN neighbors who have already enforced a total vape ban. We fear we will become the dumping ground–as if a global ashtray–for vapes that other countries will reject.
Let us be unequivocal: our long-term goal is the phase-out of all tobacco and nicotine products, including combustible cigarettes. At this critical moment, the fastest and most comprehensive way to stop the expansion of youth nicotine addiction is to remove vapes, heated tobacco products, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems from the market.
Partial restrictions and fiscal intervention do not suffice to stem the tide of nicotine addiction among our youth. These incremental measures leave room for continued nicotine addiction among our people. A total ban sends a clear and unequivocal message that the health, safety, well-being, and future of Filipino children are not negotiable.
Congress and the Executive branch have the duty and obligation to save the youth from harms of vape products that are being marketed and portrayed as safer alternatives to cigarettes.
The time to act is now.
Former DOH Secretaries
Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan (DOH Secretary, 1995)
Dr. Carmencita Reodica (DOH Secretary, 1996–1998)
Dr. Manuel Dayrit (DOH Secretary, 2001–2005)
Dr. Esperanza Cabral (DSWD Secretary, 2005–2009; DOH Secretary, 2010)
Dr. Enrique Ona (DOH Secretary, 2010–2014)
Dr. Paulyn Rosell-Ubial (DOH Secretary, 2016–2017)
Dr. Francisco Duque III (DOH Secretary, 2005–2009, 2017–2022)
Former DOH Undersecretaries
Atty. Alexander Padilla (DOH Undersecretary, 2001–2009)
Dr. David Lozada, Jr. (DOH Undersecretary, 2008–2012)
Dr. Madeleine Valera (DOH Undersecretary, 2012–2013)
Dr. Mario Villaverde (DOH Undersecretary, 2007–2012, 2017–2022)
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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
