Health group pushes for vape ban
Health Justice Philippines and the Department of Health are advocating for a nationwide ban on vapes due to health concerns and ineffective regulations.Summary
Health Justice Philippines is urging the National Government to ban vapes instead of simply regulating them, citing the need for stronger public health protection and regulatory clarity. The call follows the death of a 22-year-old who developed EVALI after two years of vaping despite having no prior smoking history. The Department of Health (DOH) supports the ban, with Secretary Teodoro Herbosa noting that eight Southeast Asian countries have already implemented comprehensive vape bans, while the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia continue to regulate them. Herbosa argues that regulations have proven ineffective, as vape use has increased since the passage of the Vape Regulation Act in 2022, particularly among young people, and is arguably more harmful than traditional smoking.
(Source：SunStar Publishing Inc.)
