The Department of Trade and Industry confiscates vape products with flavors and packaging that can entice minors during an inspection in a store in Manila on February 16, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Doctors on Wednesday declared an epidemic of alcohol and tobacco consumption and vape-use among the youth. 

This, despite growing awareness of their detrimental effects on health. 

In a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Hector Santos Jr., President of the Philippine Medical Association, emphasized that smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases and death around the world. 

“Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart disease, which is one of the major causes of death for both men and women,” he said.

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They add that e-cigarettes and vape -- perceived to be a healthier alternative to cigarettes thus gaining popularity among the youth -- have been found to actually do more harm than good. 

Data from the Department of Science and Technology — Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) show that in 2021, over 37,000 young individuals use vape. This figure grew by over 1000% or 423,000 in 2023. 

Dr. Corry Avanceña from the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists, revealed shocking inferences from their data analysis. 

“Kinumpara namin ang bilang ng batang gumagamit ng vape sa bilang ng mga batang nag-enroll sa Alternative Learning System ng Department of Education. Ang resulta, mas maraming adolescents ang nag-umpisa gumamit ng vape kaysa sa nag-enroll sa Alternative Learning System ng DepEd. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Mas may access sa kabataan ang vape industry kaysa sa Department of Education,” she said. 

(We compared the number of children using vape and the number of those enrolled in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education. We found that more adolescents have started using vape than those enrolled in DepEd’s ALS. What does this mean? They have more access to the vape industry than the Department of Education.)

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Avanceña explained that the dangers of vape cannot be ignored. This, following the death of a 22-year old who died due to electronic vape associated lung injuries (EVALI). 

Alcohol consumption has also been observed to affect the youth with the number of adolescents consuming such drinks doubling in just two years from 1.06 million in 2021 to 2.21 in 2023. 

The alarming findings have pushed medical groups and health advocates to call on government to address the epidemic of alcohol, vape and tobacco by raising taxes on these products. They also urge voters to choose leaders who will prioritize health in their legislative agenda. 

“We also call on candidates to include health taxes as a cornerstone of their agenda this 2025 midterm election,” Hector said. 

The Action for Economic Reforms (AEF)  says as the midterm election nears, they plan to approach senators, district and party list representatives to lobby for the imposition of higher taxes on harmful products. At the same time they also plan to campaign against candidates who are pro-tobacco and pro-vape. 

“Maraming kandidato ang mas makikinig sa mga ganitong industriya. They don’t deserve our support,” said AEF’s AJ Montessa. 

They also urged the public to remain watchful of actions by elected officials and their support for bills that would sabotage sin tax and inevitably encourage more consumption of alcohol, vape and tobacco products.