Child rights advocates: Don’t just ban disposable vapes, put back child protection safeguards removed by Vape Law

We support the government proposal to ban disposable vapes, a step backed by the Department of Health (Philippines), citing that easy access to these products is worsening underage smoking in the Philippines.

However, the government shouldn’t stop there.

If the government truly cares about improving vape regulation, it must seriously bring back the child protection safeguards taken away by the pro-tobacco industry Vape Law.

This includes transferring the vape regulation from trade and industry back to health authorities, restoring the original minimum age of access to vapes from the current 18 back to 21, and imposing stringent restrictions on flavors, advertising, and packaging.