Philippines has teen vaping epidemic – expert

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is in the grip of a “vaping epidemic” that affects children as young as 13 years old, a former president of the Philippine College of Physicians warned on Thursday night.

“We are now going into the vaping epidemic, and we know that there is really going to be a vaping epidemic because the 13 to 15 years of age Filipino children, 40 percent of them are already using vapes,” Dr. Maricar Limpin told “The Chiefs” on One News.

She lamented that the number of teens using vapes is even higher compared to older ones engaged in vaping, but did not cite figures.

“The vaping prevalence we are seeing right now starts very early in the life of an individual,” Limpin added.

A pulmonulogist and an anti-tobacco advocate, Limpin said that in the vape bill, restrictions on flavor have been removed, unlike before, when it was limited to two flavors – tobacco and menthol.

“They were saying that as long as (the flavor) is not enticing to children – but there are so many that are enticing to children so it is very difficult,” Limpin said in a mix of Filipino and English.

She also warned that studies have shown that those who vape have “a twofold increased likelihood” they would smoke cigarettes, a fourfold increase that they would drink alcohol and a fivefold increase they would take illegal drugs.

Limpin said they would continue the campaign against the vape bill, which lapsed into law on Monday, and challenge it before the Supreme Court.