Government Agencies Partner with Advocacy Groups to Combat Youth Vaping
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced its collaboration with various advocacy groups in an effort to intensify the fight against youth vaping in the country. Among the organizations involved in this campaign are Health Justice Philippines, Social Watch Philippines, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), Child Rights Network (CRN), and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).
According to the DTI, dialogues have been held to discuss innovative strategies to address the issue of youth vaping and to enhance the enforcement of existing laws. Trade Secretary Alfredo E Pascual emphasized the importance of preventing minors from accessing vape products, as prohibited by Republic Act No. 11900, also known as the Vape Law. Pascual pointed out that despite these regulations, there is still evidence of the vape industry targeting young people with their marketing strategies.
The DTI, as the primary authority in regulating vapes and other novel tobacco products, has seized vape products amounting to P32.76 million since January 2024. Additionally, mandatory registration and certification of vape products, as mandated by the Vape Act, have begun last week.
Other government agencies such as the Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and local government units are working in conjunction with the DTI to address the issue of youth vaping.
