Filipino Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has urgently called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take action to ensure that minors cannot easily access e-cigarettes. In a recent initiative, Herbosa reminded police, retailers, and stores to effectively enforce the relevant sales ban regulations and prevent the sale of e-cigarette products to underage individuals.
Although overall tobacco use rates have decreased, a concerning trend is the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among teenagers.
According to the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey data, 11% of students use tobacco, 10% of students smoke cigarettes, while 14% of students use e-cigarettes. This figure is also confirmed in the Philippine Pediatric Society's 2021 data, which indicates that 11% of children aged 10-15 have tried e-cigarettes.
Despite regulations that prohibit the sale or distribution of tobacco products within a 100-meter radius of schools, public playgrounds, or other places where children may be present, the implementation of the 2022 e-cigarette bill has lowered the age restriction for sales, lifted the ban on public use, and allowed for advertising. This has raised concerns in society about the skyrocketing use of e-cigarettes among minors.
Hilbosa's emphasis serves as not only a warning for the health of young people but also a reminder of the wider societal responsibility for public health. Last year, the Philippine National Police made it clear that the discovery of smoking in schools would result in the confiscation of e-cigarettes, demonstrating the government's serious stance on underage smoking.
This urgent action is not only aimed at restricting the sales of e-cigarettes, but also at protecting the physical and mental health of young people. Against the backdrop of international concern over youth smoking, the Philippine government's measures also highlight its commitment to public health.
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