A senator raised concerns about weak enforcement of regulations governing vape products, warning that gaps in implementation, particularly in online sales, are making nicotine products increasingly accessible to minors.
During a Senate hearing on proposed measures to tighten controls on vape and heated tobacco products, Senator Risa Hontiveros pointed to a growing disconnect between existing policies and what is happening on the ground.
She cited Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products. Regulation Act, which was intended to regulate access and reduce risks associated with vape use. However, she said real-world conditions show that safeguards under the law are easily bypassed.
Health professionals and community reports, she noted, indicate that children as young as 13 to 15 are already using vape products, largely due to how easily these can be obtained.
A major concern is the rise of online sales, where buyers can simply declare they are of legal age without undergoing proper verification. Hontiveros said transactions often happen through social media platforms and messaging apps, with little to no accountability on the part of sellers.
She stressed that the lack of robust age verification mechanisms undermines the intent of existing regulations and exposes young people to health risks associated with nicotine use.
The senator is pushing for reforms under proposed legislation, including Senate Bill No. 21, which seeks to shift the government’s approach from merely regulating access to actively reducing exposure, particularly among the youth.
The measure also aims to address broader policy challenges, including balancing harm reduction strategies with public health protection, regulating digital marketplaces, and ensuring that adult access does not come at the expense of youth safety.
Hontiveros said lawmakers must now confront whether current systems can effectively control online distribution or if stricter limits are needed.
“These are not theoretical issues,” she said, noting that existing safeguards may look adequate on paper but are often ineffective in practice.
The ongoing Senate discussions are expected to shape potential amendments that would tighten oversight of vape products and address emerging risks in the fast-growing online marketplace.