MANILA — The Senate Committee on Health and Demography convened a hearing to deliberate on measures seeking tighter regulation of tobacco and vaporized nicotine products, including proposed amendments to the Republic Act No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

Committee chair Risa Hontiveros said the proposed measures aim to ensure that existing laws adequately safeguard public health, particularly the well-being of young Filipinos.

“The Committee on Health and Demography convenes today to deliberate on several measures that seek to strengthen the regulation of tobacco, vaporized nicotine, and other related products, including proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act,” Hontiveros said in her opening statement.

“At the heart of these bills is a shared objective: to ensure that our laws truly protect public health, especially the health and well-being of our young people,” she added.

Hontiveros noted the rapid growth of vape products in the market in recent years, warning that many of these products are reaching minors who were previously non-smokers.

“Sa mga nakaraang taon, mabilis ang pagdami ng vape products sa ating merkado. These products are often introduced and marketed as alternatives for adult smokers. Ngunit sa realidad, marami sa mga naaabot ng mga produktong ito ay kabataang hindi naman dating naninigarilyo. At ang ilan sa kanila ay nagiging regular users,” she said.

The senator also cited marketing strategies that she said make vape products appealing to young consumers.

“Colorful packaging. Sweet and fruity flavors. Aggressive online marketing. And the widespread availability of single-use devices. All of these make vape products highly attractive—and dangerously accessible—to minors. Hindi aksidente na naaakit ang kabataan sa vape—ito ay resulta ng disenyo, marketing, at accessibility,” she said.

She further raised concerns about vape cartridges containing substances such as cannabis-infused oil and hexahydrocannabinol.

“At mas nakakabahala pa, may mga vape cartridges o tinatawag na carts na pre-filled with cannabis-infused oil or other concentrates, gaya ng hexahydrocannabinol,” she said.

During the hearing, the panel outlined four key issues it intends to examine. These include the health risks linked to tobacco and vape use, especially among young people, as well as the short- and long-term effects associated with vaping, including documented cases of e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury.

The committee will also discuss measures aimed at strengthening age restrictions and other safeguards to prevent youth access to tobacco and vape products.

“Age limits are among the most widely adopted strategies globally to prevent early nicotine addiction—but they are only effective kung mahigpit ang pagpapatupad,” Hontiveros said.

Another proposal being studied by the panel is the declaration of all educational institutions as smoke-free and vape-free zones.

“Our schools must remain safe spaces for learning, growth, and development—not environments where addictive substances quietly enter the daily lives of our students,” she said.

The committee will likewise review the implementation of Republic Act No. 11900, including regulatory and enforcement concerns related to product standards, advertising and promotion, and the growing presence of disposable vape devices.

Hontiveros said the review would also examine the roles of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Food and Drug Administration in regulating vape products, in coordination with the Department of Health.

“Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay hindi lamang tukuyin ang mga kakulangan sa kasalukuyang batas. Higit sa lahat, nais nating matukoy kung anong kombinasyon ng mga polisiya ang tunay na makapoprotekta sa kalusugan ng ating mamamayan—lalo na ng kabataan,” she said.

“Whether through stronger youth access restrictions, tighter product standards, stricter limits on advertising and promotion, or clearer regulatory oversight, our responsibility is to ensure that public health comes first.”

The senator added that the panel would also consider Senate Resolution No. 345 filed by Raffy Tulfo, which calls for an inquiry into the rising use of cigarettes and vape products among Filipino youth and the growing sale of these products through online platforms and retail outlets.

The committee said representatives from digital platforms may be invited as resource persons in the next hearing.