Group sounds alarm on kids’ association of vape with oxygen
Parents Against Vape Philippines (PAV PH) reports children increasingly associate vaping with oxygen, raising concerns about normalization and perceived necessity.Summary
A focus group discussion conducted by Parents Against Vape Philippines (PAV PH) revealed a concerning trend: children are beginning to associate vaping with oxygen. Judy Delos Reyes of PAV PH described this as alarming, highlighting the risk of young people viewing vape products as essential. This finding emerged during a Senate committee hearing on bills aimed at protecting minors from the dangers of tobacco and vape use, and potential amendments to Republic Act No. 11900. Previously, children associated vaping with terms like 'stress' or 'heart,' but now 'oxygen' is the primary association. Senator Risa Hontiveros also expressed concern over the rising number of vape users, particularly among youth, and the aggressive marketing tactics employed by vape companies, including colorful packaging, fruity flavors, and online promotion. Data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey indicates a significant increase in vaping among Filipino teenagers aged 13-15, rising from 37,513 in 2021 to 423,185 in 2023.
(Source：Inquirer)
