Key Takeaways
- The Philippine Department of Health is pushing for a total ban on vape products.
- If a full ban is not feasible, DOH said vapes should at least be limited to plain tobacco flavors.
- DOH warned that e-cigarettes and tobacco products can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer and other lung illnesses.
- The Senate Committee on Health and Demography reviewed Senate Bills 21, 534 and 1918 on Wednesday.
- Senator Risa Hontiveros said young people, some as young as 13 to 15, are already using vape products.
2Firsts, May 6，2026
According to Manila Standard, the Philippine Department of Health is pushing for a total ban on vape products as lawmakers review regulations amid rising nicotine use among Filipino youth.
DOH said vapes should be limited to tobacco flavor if a full ban is not feasible
DOH officer-in-charge Director Dr. Dominic Maddumba said that if a full ban is not feasible, vape products should at least be limited to plain tobacco flavors to reduce their appeal to minors.
The Department of Health warned that e-cigarettes and tobacco products can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer and other lung illnesses.
WHO previously flagged rising nicotine addiction linked to e-cigarettes
The report said the World Health Organization earlier flagged an “alarming” rise in nicotine addiction linked to e-cigarettes, with millions of children reportedly using vape products.
Senator raised concerns over youth vaping
At the Senate, Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns over increasing vape use among young Filipinos and questioned the effectiveness of existing safeguards.
Senate reviewed the proposed Vapes and HTPs Regulation Act
The Senate Committee on Health and Demography on Wednesday tackled Senate Bills 21, 534 and 1918, or the proposed Vapes and HTPs Regulation Act, to reassess current policies.
Hontiveros said lawmakers had believed regulation would be enough, safeguards would control access and risks could be managed. She said doctors, experts and community experiences show that young people, some as young as 13 to 15, are already using vape products.
Hontiveros attributed the rise in youth use to the products’ appeal, accessibility and affordability. She also cited weak online enforcement, where age verification can be easily bypassed.
Hontiveros said the issue is no longer a simple implementation gap
Hontiveros said the situation is no longer a simple implementation gap, but a clear disconnect between policy design and lived reality. She said it is no longer a simple matter of compliance.
Proposed measures would prioritize public health
The report said the proposed measures aim to shift policy from regulating market access to prioritizing public health by reducing overall exposure to nicotine.
Lawmakers also discussed whether oversight should move from trade-focused agencies to health authorities.
Image Source:Manila Standard
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