The Department of Health (DOH) recently issued a strong warning: vaping or using e-cigarettes is not a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. According to officials, claims that vapes are “healthier” are misleading and don’t hold up against scientific evidence.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized that vape products still pose serious health threats. He pointed to studies linking vaping to a range of dangerous conditions — including e-cigarette or vaping‑use associated lung injury (EVALI) and even fatal heart attacks.
One documented case involved a 22-year-old man, previously healthy, who suffered a heart attack and severe lung damage after daily vaping. This alarming incident underscores DOH’s argument: “Vape is not harmless,” Herbosa stressed.
The department also expressed concern about how these products are aggressively marketed — especially to young people. Flavorful juices, colorful packaging, and persuasive ads give the impression that vaping is trendy and low-risk. But DOH warns that such tactics can mask real dangers.
To counter this, DOH is calling for better enforcement of existing laws. They want stricter regulation of vape sales, tighter restrictions in and around schools, and more public education on the risks.
In short: vaping might not involve burning tobacco, but it’s far from harmless. DOH urges everyone — especially young people — to see through the hype and make informed decisions for their health.