According to a report from CNN Philippines on January 16th, the Philippine Health Secretary, Ted Herbosa, has reached out to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for assistance in enforcing a law that prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
Herbosa expressed during a media forum that the number of e-cigarette users is increasing in the Philippines. He pointed out, "Previously, we did not find any underage individuals using e-cigarettes, but now the usage rate among teenagers has reached 14%. According to our regulations, only those aged 18 and above are legally eligible to use e-cigarettes. However, we have observed young people in high school uniforms openly using e-cigarettes in public places, and these products are also openly sold in stores.
The Minister of Health has written a letter to the Philippine National Police, urging them to enforce relevant laws and regulations to ensure that minors are unable to access e-cigarettes.
Due to an increase in tobacco tax and rising prices, the tobacco usage rate in the Philippines has decreased. According to a global adult tobacco survey conducted by the government, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults has declined from 29.7% in 2009 to 19.5% in 2021.
Hebosa pointed out that the tobacco use rate among teenagers has also decreased from 22% in 2007 to 12% in 2019.
Despite the shift of teenage users towards e-cigarettes, he emphasizes that e-cigarettes have an equally harmful impact on health as traditional cigarettes.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Enrique Tayag, has issued a warning stating that research has found that the use of e-cigarettes increases blood pressure and damages the lungs.
The Ministry of Health calls on parents and guardians to educate their children against the use of e-cigarettes, emphasizing the long-lasting effects of nicotine on the health of minors. The report highlights the need to take action to protect adolescents from the harmful effects of nicotine and other substances, despite the decline in tobacco use rates, as the popularity of e-cigarettes continues to rise.
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