Authorities boost crackdown vs illegal vape products to protect minors

By Benilda Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon --- Regulators are stepping up efforts to stop the sale of illegal vape products in Sorsogon, particularly to minors, following a significant rise in teen vaping from 7.5 percent to nearly 40 percent.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the multi-agency crackdown addresses low compliance rates, with only 19.25 percent of surveyed vape retailers strictly adhering to youth protection laws.

“We conduct regular and intensified monitoring of vape products and sellers in the province to ensure their compliance with the regulation to protect consumers, particularly minors, from hazardous products,” said DTI Sorsogon Provincial Director Ma. Lourdes Pancho.

The DTI serves as the primary regulatory body under RA 11900, the law that establishes standards for the importation, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other novel tobacco items.

Several government agencies play complementary roles in implementing the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, including the Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and local government units (LGU).

After conducting comprehensive vendor orientations in 2024 and community education drives for consumers in 2025 and beyond, authorities have begun transitioning from education to enforcement measures.

Pancho noted that the increased presence of law enforcement has aligned with this shift in focus.

“The Sorsogon City Police Station, collaborating with the Land Transportation Office, executes regular checkpoint sweeps to enforce smoke-free and vape-free environments inside public transport, busy terminals, and school zones,” she said.

Pancho said recent local efforts highlight the importance of public health policies that show how active monitoring by local governments can significantly improve compliance with health regulations—by more than 10-fold.

LGUs are also supporting national guidelines with strong measures against vaping.

For instance, in September 2025, the municipality of Casiguran took a big step by passing Ordinance 2025-52, which is the first local ban specifically aimed at stopping the sale of vaping products in public places.

Additionally, in February 2026, Gubat town began working on new rules with the help of the youth council to create vape-free zones at the community level, ensuring that vaping is restricted in specific areas.

Healthcare experts stressed the importance of regulatory measures to address the increasing cardiovascular problems among teenagers.

A 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey found that 7 out of 10 Filipino youths aged 13 to 15 have used vapes, an exposure that is directly associated with severe clinical cases.

“We are seeing more young people suffering from heart attacks, and the common denominator is a history of vaping,” warned Dr. Edric Ian Vargas of Sorsogon Provincial Health Office.

Vargas explained that vaping can lead to e-cigarette or vaping-use-associated lung injury, a serious condition characterized by severe chest pain and impaired breathing, which often progresses to cardiac issues.

Studies have shown that 45.2 percent of young users still find e-cigarettes “easy to obtain” through informal retailers and online sources.

In response, grassroots watchdogs are taking action. In addition to government efforts, civil society and families are playing a vital role.

The group “Parents Against Vape” is actively organizing school focus groups to address gaps in retail regulation.

At the same time, the youth-led movement TobaccOff Now! recently held a synchronized film festival premiere in Sorsogon aimed at promoting peer education.

Mark Rynell Mirabueno, director of the short film “Hangos,” emphasized the urgency of their message.

“As a young filmmaker, I believe storytelling is a powerful way to open conversations that matter,” said Mirabueno, emphasizing that the choices made by youth today will impact future generations. (Monica Avila contributed to this report/PIA Bicol/Sorsogon)

Health experts say that every year, more and more youths become addicted to using e-cigarettes. Vapes have also evolved into an overwhelming variety of designs with flavor options like mint, grapes, strawberry, bubble gum, and many more, which are being widely marketed and sold even to minors. (Contributed photo)