Text by: Jennifer Manongdo
Photos by: Healthy University Office, Department of Health

Aggressive advertising strategies have lured many Filipinos, particularly teenagers, into joining the harmful vaping trend. Never mind scientific studies that show vaping destroys the heart and lungs, patrons inhale and puff the e-juice merrily with little to no regard for their health.

While vaping is widely known to contain a host of harmful chemicals, including heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead, three flavors recently stood out as the most poisonous: cinnamon, cherry, and menthol.

These flavors contain diacetyl, which is linked to lung damage, noted Dr. Lenora Fernadez, a certified tobacco treatment specialist and a professor in the Department of Medicine and Bioethics Faculty of the Social Medicine Unit of UP Manila.

Diacetyl is a chemical ingredient added to butter flavorings. Chronic exposure to vapors containing diacetyl is associated with severe obstructive lung disease, otherwise known as “popcorn lung.” It could also cause an irreversible type of lung damage called constrictive bronchiolitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Young Vaper Dead at 22

The Philippines reported its first vape-related death in 2024. A 22-year-old man died from a heart attack resulting from severe lung damage or E-Cigarette or Vape Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). Dr. Fernandez, who was one of the attending physicians of the male patient, recalled how damaged the patient’s lungs were after vaping for three years.

“Namuti ang baga na parang Covid pero hindi naman Covid,” she said during a webinar on May 30, 2025, organized by the Healthy University Office in celebration of the World No Tobacco Day. “They were able to stent it, but he still died of the lung injury.”

Secondhand vapers are also at risk from the poisonous vapors because it has been proven to irritate the upper respiratory tract and the eyes and have been proven to induce increased heart rate and blood pressure, Dr. Fernandez warned. “Children who have been exposed to their parents [at home] who vape have more wheezing or parang may bronchitis sila… the hazards are there, so it is not innocuous,” she said.

DOH: Ban Vapes

In a press conference at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) on May 31, 2025, also in celebration of the World No Tobacco Day, Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa reiterated the call for a ban on vapes.  

“Singapore banned vaping. Vietnam banned vaping. Why would we add vaping to our problem,” he told the media. 

To further shave the numbers on smoking, Herbosa said he will also recommend the amendment of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 and drop graphic health warnings for plain packaging. He said countries that implemented plain paper packaging on cigarette boxes experienced a significant drop on tobacco use. The DOH also reintroduced the iconic Yosi Kadiri campaign to help the new generation of smokers to understand the perils of tobacco use. 

Help for Smokers

Sixty percent of smokers who seek help from the Stop Smoking Program of UP-PGH successfully defeat tobacco addiction,Dr. Fernandez said in the press conference.

“Kung meron nang motivation na gustong tumigil at kung merong medisina, mataas ang success rate,” she said. 

PGH implements a three-step approach in helping smokers kick the habit: Ask, Advice, and Offer Help. 

“Counseling plus pharmacologic treatment would be the best way to help them,” Dr. Fernandez pointed out.#

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