The Department of Health (DOH) has called for a nationwide total ban on all vape products, warning the public of severe health risks associated with their use.
In a news release, the DOH strongly criticized advertisements that misleadingly portray vaping as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes, emphasizing that both the vapor and the devices themselves contain harmful chemicals.
The agency warned that vape use poses serious health dangers, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and lung illnesses.
“It is often marketed that vape is nicotine-free and can be an alternative to cigarettes, but the smoke and the vape device itself are full of chemicals and are harmful,” the DOH stated.
The department also expressed alarm over the variety of flavors and colorful packaging used in vape products, which it said easily attract minors.
The DOH cited the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, which indicated that seven out of 10 Filipino youths aged 13 to 15 years old use vape products.
This call for a ban comes after the country recently recorded its first death linked to two years of vape use.
The DOH stated it will continue to sustain efforts through its Health Promotion Bureau to raise awareness in communities, schools, and workplaces about the dangers of vaping and smoking.