Doctors Declare Epidemic in Smoking, Alcohol Among Filipino Youngsters

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

QUEZON CITY – Public health advocates and medical groups declared a “growing epidemic” of alcohol, tobacco, and vape use among Filipino youth during a press conference on Wednesday, March 5. They urged 2025 election candidates to take a firm stance on the issue.

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists (PAPP), Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, Parents Against Vape, and the Sin Tax Coalition called for higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol products and stricter regulations on e-cigarettes and vapes.

PMA President Dr. Hector Santos cited a 2023 survey by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), which revealed alarming trends. The number of adolescents consuming alcohol monthly doubled from 1.06 million in 2021 to 2 million in 2023. Similarly, adolescent smokers increased from 500,000 in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2023.

“As medical professionals, we witness the harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco. Physicians often treat injuries caused by unhealthy alcohol consumption, including those from motor vehicular accidents involving drunk drivers,” Santos said.

He also noted that violent crimes and altercations linked to alcohol often result in injuries, further burdening the healthcare system.

Dr. Riz Gonzalez, chairperson of the PPS Tobacco Control Advocacy Group, highlighted the environmental impact of vape use.

“With the rise in vape usage, we face increased single-use plastic waste, electronic waste from lithium batteries, and the potential harm of e-liquids leaching into the soil. This is the environment we are leaving for our children,” Gonzalez said.

Dr. Maria Corazon Avanceña of the PAPP pointed to marketing tactics that make vaping appealing to the youth, such as sweet flavors and visually enticing vape clouds.

She referenced a Sin Tax Coalition study showing a surge in vape users, from 37,530 in 2021 to 423,185 in 2023. Avanceña also cited the first reported case of E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) in the Philippines—a 16-year-old in Cebu—and the death of a 22-year-old from EVALI at the Philippine General Hospital.

“Vape flavors are sweet and fragrant, and the clouds are amusing, clearly targeting the youth. As doctors, we treat these cases, but prevention is our priority. We need comprehensive laws and strict enforcement to protect our children,” Avanceña said.

She reiterated the PAPP’s advocacy of “Not one puff, ever,” discouraging the use of any tobacco, vape, or alcohol products.

AJ Montesa of Action for Economic Reforms presented findings that the government loses an estimated P1.05 trillion annually due to alcohol, tobacco, and vape consumption.

Montesa argued that raising taxes on these products has proven to be the most effective deterrent but noted that Republic Act No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act) hindered progress.

The law, effective in 2022, transferred vape regulation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which lacks a health-focused mandate.

“RA 11900 made vapes more accessible by removing the FDA’s regulatory authority. This led to a 1,100 percent increase in vape use,” Montesa said.

He also called for stricter enforcement of alcohol taxes and regulations to curb accessibility and aggressive marketing targeting young people.

“Taxes remain the most effective policy, but they must be complemented by regulations to keep these products out of reach for the youth,” Montesa added.