2FIRSTS | Philippine Tobacco Control Coalition Backs Raising Legal Age for Vape and Tobacco Products to 25
The Philippine Tobacco Control Coalition supports raising the legal age for vape and tobacco products to 25, citing potential harm to developing brains.Summary
The Philippine Tobacco Control Coalition has voiced its support for Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s proposal to increase the legal age for purchasing vape and tobacco products from 18 to 25. The coalition emphasizes that scientific evidence demonstrates continued brain development until the mid-20s, and nicotine exposure during this period can cause lasting negative impacts on impulse control, learning, and mood regulation. They also highlight the Philippines’ first recorded death linked to e-cigarette use, involving a 22-year-old, and echo Herbosa’s warning that vaping poses a significant public health threat. The coalition advocates for a complete ban on vapes, cigarettes, and other tobacco products, alongside the implementation of maximum tobacco taxes to deter youth consumption and fund Universal Health Care.
(Source：2Firsts)
