The Department of Health (DOH) has renewed its call for a complete ban on electronic cigarettes and vapor products, warning that stronger action is needed to protect Filipino children and young people from nicotine addiction.
The appeal was made in line with the observance of World No Tobacco Day on June 1, 2026, as the DOH urged lawmakers to place youth welfare and public health above commercial interests.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the government must prioritize shielding young Filipinos from the harmful effects of nicotine, especially as vaping products continue to appeal to younger consumers.
The DOH said it remains committed to carrying out the National Tobacco Prevention and Control Strategy through 2030 while waiting for legislation that would remove e-cigarettes and vape products from the local market.
Pending a total ban, the department is pushing for a three-point policy package aimed at reducing vape use in the country.
The first proposal is to raise the minimum legal age for purchasing vapor products from 18 to 25 years old. The second is to remove all vape flavorings from the market. The third is to impose significantly higher taxes on vaping devices and consumable vape liquids to make them less accessible, especially to minors.
The DOH cited global data from the World Health Organization showing that manufacturers use more than 16,000 flavors, which health officials said are designed to attract younger users.
Herbosa said the proposed measures are necessary to prevent a new generation from falling into nicotine dependence through vaping and smoking.
The health department maintained that decisive restrictions on vape products would help protect children, reduce addiction risks, and strengthen the country’s broader tobacco control efforts.