QUEZON CITY – Health professionals and advocates are urging candidates for national and local positions in the upcoming May 2025 elections to take action to curb the spread of vape, tobacco, and alcohol use in the country, especially among the youth.

“Our candidates must take a stand and act decisively on this very important concern,” said the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP), the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP), the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Parents Against Vape (PAV), the Sin Tax Coalition, and Action for Economic Reforms (AER) in a joint press conference on March 5.

Describing the use of vape, tobacco, and alcohol in the country as a “full-blown epidemic,” the groups emphasized the need for Filipino voters to elect candidates in the 2025 elections who prioritize pro-health platforms in their legislative agendas.

Social Ills

According to the Sin Tax Coalition, there were 89,000 tobacco-related deaths in the Philippines in 2023, with the first death due to EVALI (E-cigarette or Vape-Associated Lung Injury) recorded in 2024, while alcohol consumption causes at least 27,000 deaths in the country each year.

The coalition added that smoking and alcohol consumption have become more prevalent among the youth, particularly among the poorest sectors of society, who “already lack access to healthcare and suffer poor health outcomes.”

Dr. Corry Avanceña of the PAPP expressed alarm over the increasing number of people who vape in the country, noting that the number of vapers surged from 37,530 in 2021 to 423,185 in 2023.

“Vape shops have become more accessible—even online—and some shops operate 24/7,” she said, also citing the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), which showed that one in seven students aged 13 to 15 was already using e-cigarettes—an age group younger than what is allowed by existing laws.

Dr. RJ Naguit of PSPHP warned, “Flavored vapes, social media promotions, and cheap alcohol products are specifically designed to hook the next generation. Without urgent government intervention, this crisis will spiral out of control.”

“If our leaders fail to act, they are leaving our youth to fend for themselves against an industry that is actively targeting them like lambs to the slaughter,” he added.

Dr. Riz Gonzalez of the PPS stressed that the youth, in particular, are “prone to highly episodic drinking.”

“Science has told us… any amount of alcohol makes them at risk of unsafe driving [and] early toxic effects of alcohol in their developing brain and body. Beyond illnesses, children are also victims of road crashes and domestic violence cases that are worsened by alcohol consumption,” she said, adding, “These industries are making a profit at the expense of our children’s health.”

PAV President Rebie Relator urged voters to support pro-health candidates, saying, “Dapat nating piliin ang mga kandidatong pro-health na ipaglalaban ang mas mahigpit na regulasyon sa sigarilyo, vape, at alak. Kailangan natin ng mga lider at kandidatong maninindigan at magsusulong ng panukalang batas para itaas ang buwis sa yosi, vape, at alak.”

PMA President Dr. Hector Santos emphasized, “Let us be clear: this is a full-blown epidemic that demands immediate action from our leaders. We are calling on candidates to stand with our parents and youth now so our children don’t have to inherit a future of early, preventable deaths and illnesses.”

“We are tired of watching the devastating health effects of alcohol, tobacco, and vape on our youth with no action taken by our policymakers,” he added.

AER fiscal policy lead AJ Montesa pointed out that excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption costs the Philippines ₱1.055 trillion annually, factoring in healthcare expenses due to alcohol- and smoking-related diseases, loss of productivity, and “the loss of a healthy life.”

He vowed to raise public awareness about pro-health candidates but admitted, “Pero sa totoo lang, ngayong eleksiyon, marami nang kandidato na mas makikinig pa sa industriya. Mas makikinig sila sa pera ng tobacco industry or alcohol industry.”

Needed Actions

The health professionals and advocates urged candidates to commit to championing higher excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and vape products if elected, as a way to curb their sale, use, and production.

The groups also called for the introduction of new policies, including raising the minimum drinking age and imposing stricter regulations on the sales and advertising of vape, tobacco, and alcohol products.

“Every day that we don’t act, another Filipino family loses a loved one while the tobacco, vape, and alcohol industries profit,” Dr. Santos lamented.

📷 Nathan Salt/Pexels, Sin Tax Coalition