Moreover, findings of the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) revealed that e-cigarette usage is far more prevalent than the use of any other tobacco product among Filipino students between the ages of 13 and 15. 

 

More specifically, the study found that one in seven students (14.1%) who were between the ages of 13 and 15 admitted to smoking e-cigarettes at the moment, while one in four students (24.5%) in the same age group claimed that they had tried e-cigarettes before. However, 12.5 percent of students, or one in every 8 of them, currently use tobacco products. 

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The study included over 6,000 student respondents, in grades level seven to ten who were of the same age, showed how easy it is for them to purchase e-cigarettes despite their young age. 

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“These alarming figures should serve as a wake-up call for our senators to reject the bill easing e-cigarette regulation. The wide prevalence of use of e-cigs as revealed by the GYTS should be enough reason for our senators to recalibrate their approach on the E-Cigs Bill and consider the health hazards these products pose,” said Romeo Dongeto of Child Rights Network (CRN). 

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​“Nagsimula po akong mag-vape noong 14 years old ako. Tapos ‘yung mga binibili ko pong vape noon ay madalas Black Elite. Iba-iba lang yung flavors,” Russel Lorenzo, a 15-year-old student from Esteban Abada High School recalled his first experience with vape products. 

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“Lychee po talaga yung nagustuhan kong flavor. Na-try ko na rin yung strawberry and blueberry,” he added. 

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Russel’s first disposable vape product was from Black Elite. It cost him ₱300, while his second vape purchase was ₱500 from a brand named Romeo. 

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Russel first learned about vape goods from his friends, who were also relatively young. However, to purchase vape products, he asks help from his other friends who are of legal age. 

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“May mga kaibigan po akong matatanda, 18 years old na sila. Pinapabili ko lang sa kanila ‘yung vape tapos ibinibigay na lang nila sa ‘kin kapag nasa labas na sila ng shop,” Russel stated. 

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When asked what drove him and other youths to buy and use vape items while being prohibited, Russel said that the flavors in vape products are quite enjoyable. 

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“Hindi mo na po kasi maiiwasan [gumamit ng vape] kapag natikman mo na.” 

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Just last week, Russel purchased another disposable vape product and consumed its 8000 puffs. 

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"Kapag may pera uli ako, bibili agad ako." 

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Just like Russel, Angelo Franco, a 16-year-old student from Marilao, Bulacan have first seen vape products from his friends. “Nakikita ko silang gumagamit, nainggit din ako kaya sinubukan ko.” 

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Angelo’s monthly cost for purchasing vape products ranges from ₱600 to ₱700. 

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“Bukod sa impluwensya ng kaibigan, mabenta ang vape ngayon lalo na sa kabataan dahil marami silang nakikitang gumagamit nito,” Angelo said when asked why e-cigarettes are currently popular among the youth. 

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He added that the youth believes that using vape products will make them look cooler. 

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“Noong patagal na ‘ko nang patagal sa pag-va-vape, nararamdaman ko na medyo sumisikip na dibdib ko pero nawawala rin siya kapag umiinom ako ng tubig,” said Maria Mercado, a 14-year-old student from Pampanga who began using vapes at the age of 13. 

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“Sumisikip lang talaga dibdib ko ‘pag nasobrahan ako sa paghihipak,” she added. 

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According to Maria, she was not really interested with vape products at first. 

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“Actually na influence lang ako sa ibang nag-va-vape. Hindi naman talaga ako interesado noon pero nung na-try ko, ayun nagustuhan ko. Hindi ko na matigilan.” 

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“Bili na ‘ko nang bili ng vape hanggang maubos pera ko sa kabibili,” Maria confessed. 

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Maria has already spent ₱5,000 on Chillax and Flava vape items. Two of her favorite vape juice flavors are mixed berries and blackcurrant because they taste just like a candy. 

 

“Siguro isa rin na [dahilan] kung bakit kami nauudyok o naakit gumamit ng vape ay dahil sa mga lasa tulad ng mga caramel, yakult, blackcurrant at magagandang kulay ng vape.” 

 

Right now, Maria’s being cautious when smoking e-cigarettes as her mother has previously caught her in the act. 

 

When asked if she tried to quit using vape products, Maria admitted that she has been trying for a long time. 

 

“Hindi ko talaga kaya kasi nasanay na ‘kong may hinihipak. Nag-try ako, one month na ‘di mag-vape pero hindi ko nakayanan.” 

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“Hindi ko magawang tigilan.” ​

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What does the DTI says? 

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Due to the alarming vape epidemic among Filipino youth, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was prompted to enforce regulations under Republic Act No. 11900, or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.” Despite these efforts, a significant number of vape retailers continue to violate the law, particularly in advertising and selling vape products, which often remain accessible to minors.

 

“Products monitored by the DTI reveal that most vape products have flavor descriptors that are appealing to minors,” said Perpetua Lim of the DTI-Consumer Affairs and Advocacy Bureau in a response to an email interview.

 

The Officer-in-Charge Assistant Director further explained that some sellers of vape products make the packaging enticing and appealing to youth while also ensuring their products are accessible and affordable.

 

To combat these issues, Asst. Director Lim said they collaborated with the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units, and private stakeholders to monitor and enforce compliance.

 

In efforts to intensify the regulation of the industry, the DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) and regional offices, regularly monitors physical stores and e-commerce platforms to ensure vape products comply with the rules and regulations of the Vape Law which include:

 

On the other hand, manufacturers are regulated according to their compliance with Fair Trade Laws, particularly the Vape Law and DAO 22-16 or its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

 

“Manufacturers and importers shall apply for certification with the BPS by submitting information demonstrating conformity with the technical regulations to ensure that only BPScertified products shall be distributed in the market,” Lim added.

 

The agency does not perform security clearances and only requires Philippine Standard (PS) License or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certificate, Certificate of Warehouse Registration, and Certificate of Registration. 

 

"To aim for more profit," she said, is what drives retailers to violate regulations despite the risk of legal consequences. 

 

Under the Vape Law, violating retailers face fines ranging from P5,000 to a maximum of P400,000. Minors who violate the law are subject to intervention programs such as counseling.

 

The agency’s regulatory practices reveal the complexity of enforcing laws in an environment where profit motives often outweigh legal compliance. While the regulatory framework under the Vape Law is comprehensive, the persistent non-compliance by many vape retailers necessitates continuous efforts. The goal is not to uphold the law but to protect the health and well-being of the Filipino youth from the dangers of vaping.​