Health Secretary Herbosa Wants Vapes Banned Entirely — Says the Philippines Is Falling Behind Singapore in Creating a Smoke-Free Generation
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa isn't pulling any punches: he wants vape products banned entirely in the Philippines. In a Saturday radio interview, Herbosa said the country is falling behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in the fight against e-cigarettes, particularly when it comes to protecting the youth.
Herbosa pointed to Singapore as the model. "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," the health chief said.
The Philippines has taken some steps to regulate vaping — Republic Act 11900 raised the legal age for buying vape products to 21 and banned sales within 100 meters of schools. But Herbosa clearly views these measures as insufficient. A full ban would put the Philippines in line with countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei, which have already prohibited e-cigarettes entirely.
The push comes at a time when vaping among Filipino youth continues to rise despite age restrictions. Walk into any mall or school area and you'll see teenagers casually puffing on colorful vape devices — enforcement of the existing law has been spotty at best. Hindi talaga nasusunod.
Whether Congress will act on Herbosa's call remains to be seen. The vape industry has significant lobbying power, and a full ban would face resistance from manufacturers, retailers, and even some lawmakers who argue that vaping is a harm-reduction tool for traditional smokers. But for the DOH, the message is clear: no amount of flavored vapor is safe for kids.
Source: The Manila Times
