Philippines DOH reiterates: vaping is not safer than smoking, citing irreversible health risks

Key Takeaways 

• DOH says it will continue advising against vaping as an alternative to cigarettes, citing irreversible risks
• Herbosa cited EVALI and said a 22-year-old male with no smoking history died in 2025
• Report cites CDC tally of 68 deaths and 2,800+ hospitalizations during a 2019–2020 EVALI outbreak
• Herbosa said the Philippines is among only three Southeast Asian countries without a full vape ban, citing a health-versus-profitability balance
• Herbosa said sin taxes reduced smoking prevalence from 27.9% to as low as 19% and that vaping is prevalent among children

2Firsts, February 28, 2026 – 

According to the Tribune, the Department of Health reiterated its stance against vaping on Saturday amid discussions at the House of Representatives about raising excise taxes on tobacco earlier in the week. Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa (Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa) said in a radio interview that the department will continue to advise against using vape as an alternative to cigarette smoking, saying both pose irreversible health risks.

Beyond common respiratory illnesses linked to smoking, Herbosa cited E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). He said EVALI is a new illness that emerged when most people began using e-cigarettes and vape products, and said it resulted in the death of a 22-year-old male who had no history of smoking in 2025. He said cases vary, citing “popcorn lung” and describing lungs that “blacken” like those of a chronic smoker, adding that lung damage can be permanent.

The report said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tallied 68 total deaths and over 2,800 hospitalizations from an EVALI outbreak between 2019 and 2020.

Herbosa also said the Philippines remains one of only three countries in Southeast Asia that have yet to impose a complete ban on vapes. He attributed this to the Philippines being a tobacco-producing country, saying legislators and regulators are trying to balance health and profitability.

He later said imposing sin taxes on vapes and cigarettes has had a positive effect by reducing smokers and improving the health sector’s budget. Herbosa said smoking prevalence used to be 27.9% and fell “as low as 19%” after the sin tax was passed, adding that prior to implementation nearly 30% of the population smoked.

He also said DOH observations show vaping is prevalent among children, who see it as a “cool” thing to do. He urged children to quit vaping, saying its health risks outweigh its perceived “healthier” factor compared with cigarettes, and warned that vaping can affect the lungs, the heart, and overall health.

Image source: Tribune.