THE Department of Health (DOH) is considering a ban on vape products, saying the Philippines is falling behind other Southeast Asian countries in prohibiting e-cigarettes.
”It should be banned, especially for our children,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a radio interview on Saturday, stressing that banning vape products would help prevent their harmful effects.
Herbosa expressed concern following the death of a 22-year-old who suffered a heart attack linked to vaping and emphasized that vaping is not a “less harmful” alternative to smoking, as some companies claim.
He noted that in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Singapore, vaping has been banned to develop the first smoke-free generation.
”Singapore overtook us. Imagine that the kids will never be exposed to cigarettes, never be exposed to vapes. So, they instantly decided to ban it because they already have a goal to create a smoke-free generation,” Herbosa said.
Besides Singapore, Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have banned vaping. The Philippines is one of two countries that do not ban vapes — the other being Indonesia.
To push the ban, Herbosa stressed the importance of electing legislators who value the welfare of children.
”It’s important to elect legislators who are willing to do so,” Herbosa said.
The health chief implored the youth not to be deceived by the vape industry’s claims that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative.
”If you’re kids and you think that’s cool, you’re wrong,” Herbosa said, noting that vaping affects the lungs, heart and overall health.
