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Vaping rise among youth alarms lawmakers

January 23, 2025 Camille P. Balagtas 158 views

THE Senate Committee on Ways and Means, in a joint hearing with the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, expressed grave concern over the rapid rise in youth vaping and the prevalence of illicit vape sales.

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Raffy Tulfo led discussions, highlighting the failures in regulation and enforcement that have allowed these issues to escalate.

Data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) revealed a shocking increase in vaping among adolescents aged 10 to 19, with usage jumping from 7.5% in 2021 to 39.9% in 2023.

Senator Gatchalian emphasized the gravity of the findings, pointing out that the decline in “never smokers” signifies that an estimated 1.13 million new adolescent smokers have emerged.

“This is unacceptable,” Gatchalian stated. “We worked for years to lower smoking prevalence, but now the data shows we are back to square one. Vape products, especially those with enticing flavors like bubblegum and menthol, are being marketed to children, leading to addiction and health risks. This is a regulatory failure we must address immediately.”

The hearing also highlighted the inadequate enforcement of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (RA 11900).

Gatchalian noted that despite excise taxes on electronic nicotine products, the accessibility of flavored vapes continues to draw young users.

He proposed raising taxes on these products to reduce affordability and align them with traditional cigarette taxes.

He also called for limiting vape flavors to menthol and tobacco, arguing that such restrictions would not only curb consumption but also simplify tax collection and enforcement.

Tulfo raised concerns about the role of online platforms in the proliferation of illicit vape sales.

He criticized the lack of proactive measures by regulatory agencies to monitor and regulate e-commerce and social media platforms.

Tulfo emphasized that the ease with which minors can access vape products online underscores a significant regulatory gap.

“It’s alarming how easy it is for minors to access vape products online,” he said. “Where are the regulators? Why are these platforms allowed to sell these harmful products without accountability? This is a massive oversight that puts our children at risk.”

In addition to proposing stricter oversight, Tulfo called for severe penalties for manufacturers, distributors, and online sellers involved in the illicit vape trade.

He stressed that the government must deliver a clear message to violators, asserting: “We need to send a strong message that anyone facilitating the illegal sale of these products will face severe consequences. Our laws must have teeth, and enforcement must be consistent.”

Health professionals and advocacy groups supported the senators’ calls for reform, emphasizing the public health risks posed by vaping.

Dr. Maria Encarnita Limpin, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health Philippines, warned that nicotine in vaping products is highly addictive, especially for young people.

She explained that addiction to vaping often leads young users to transition to traditional smoking, compounding their health risks.

“Once addicted, many of these young users will transition to traditional smoking. This is a gateway to lifelong health problems,” Limpin said.

The FNRI data further revealed that flavored vapes have significantly contributed to the rise in smoking prevalence among young Filipinos.

The flavors, which include bubblegum, menthol, and other sweet variants, are designed to appeal to minors and are often aggressively marketed.

In response to these findings, the Senate proposed a comprehensive set of measures aimed at addressing the issue.

These include raising excise taxes on vaping products to discourage consumption, implementing a track-and-trace system to monitor the supply chain and curb illicit sales, and restricting vape flavors to menthol and tobacco to reduce their appeal to minors.

Strengthening enforcement on online platforms to prevent the sale of vapes to minors was also a key priority identified during the hearing.

Gatchalian highlighted the need for comprehensive action, stating: “This is about protecting the health and future of our youth. We cannot allow this industry to exploit regulatory gaps to prey on the next generation.”

Tulfo echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders is essential.

“This is not just a health issue; it’s a societal issue. We need everyone—regulators, lawmakers, and law enforcement—to step up and do their part,” he said.

The committees are now working to consolidate recommendations from the hearing into legislative proposals.

These proposals aim to close regulatory loopholes, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and safeguard public health, particularly for vulnerable Filipino youth.

Both senators stressed the urgency of acting swiftly to address these pressing issues and ensure a safer future for the next generation.