PH should keep up with ASEAN neighbors on imposing total ban vs vapes – health group

The Philippines should join the ranks of its ASEAN neighbors which have adopted stricter regulations, including a total ban on e-cigarettes and vapes, public health advocacy group HealthJustice Philippines urged policymakers. This call to action comes in the wake of Vietnam National Assembly’s  approval of  a resolution, spearheaded by its Ministry of Health, to ban the production, trade, importation, storage, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes beginning 2025.

In recent years, Southeast Asian countries have taken bold steps to combat the rising use of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people. Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei were pioneers of  comprehensive bans on e-cigarettes and vapes, setting a strong precedent for the region. Vietnam’s recent decision to enact a similar ban, underscores the growing  recognition of the public health risks posed by vaping.

“The growing momentum across Southeast Asia to ban e-cigarettes or vapes presents a critical opportunity for the Philippines to act,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former Health Secretary and Board Member of HealthJustice. “By adopting stronger regulations, the Philippines can align itself with its regional neighbors in prioritizing the health of its citizens and protecting the next generation from the harms of nicotine addiction. Now is the time for policymakers to act decisively to safeguard public health.”

Vapes including heated tobacco products, often marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes, have been linked to a range of health concerns, particularly for youth. Flavored e-liquids, which strongly appeals to the youth, have fueled a surge in vaping among adolescents, exposing them to nicotine addiction and harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, the  industry-friendly Vape Regulation Law does little to curb this trend, offering only weak oversight of these  harmful products.

“By banning e-cigarettes, Southeast Asian countries are taking decisive action to protect public health, particularly for their younger populations, and to prevent a new generation from falling prey to nicotine dependency,” added Galvez Tan. “The Philippines must not lag behind, but rather, seek to act proactively to safeguard the health of its people.”

The urgency of this issue is underscored by alarming statistics – one in seven Filipino students aged 13 to 15 use vapes, that is approximately 1.6 million adolescents –  based on the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey. The country has also recorded its first death due to e-cigarette or vaping-use-associated lung injury (EVALI).

With vaping on the rise, especially among teenagers, the need for immediate action is clear.

“To protect youth and curb the rising tide of the nicotine addiction crisis, lawmakers in the Philippines should also consider more stringent regulations,” Galvez emphasized. “This includes implementing an immediate ban on these products to put an effective stop to the vape epidemic.”

The Southeast Asian Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) also applauded Vietnam’s National Assembly for its nearly unanimous decision and urged other nations to follow suit. Vietnam joins over 30 countries and jurisdictions worldwide that have already banned electronic smoking devices (ESDs), including five other ASEAN countries.

“By putting the health and well-being of its citizens first, Vietnam sets a powerful example for other countries to follow. We urge all nations to adopt similar bans to protect present and future generations from these addictive and deadly products,” said SEATCA Executive Director, Dr UIysses Dorotheo.

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Contact persons :

Mariz Amante Wee

Communications Officer, HealthJustice

+63998-885-1080 / +974-669-86655

stelamarieamante@gmail.com

Anelle Cortez

Project Coordinator, HealthJustice

+639178139696

anelledc@gmail.com