PNP: Over 8,600 minors violated vaping, smoking laws in May-December 2023

More than 8,600 minors were caught violating vaping and smoking laws from May to December last year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that these minors violated Executive Order 26 on smoke-free environments and the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

“Meron na po tayong kinonduct na operation na 340,161. Iyan po ay for violation ng E0 26. Ang number po ng violations po ay 121,579 at 6,714 po diyan ay mga minors po,” she said in a press conference.

(We conducted 340,161 operations to enforce E0 26. The number of violations is 121,579 and 6,714 of them are minors.)

“Meron na pong mga naaresto po na mga adult naman po for violation ng RA 11900 (the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act). Ang violation po nasa 30,301, ang number ng violations po ay nasa 8,299 at 1,902 po doon ay minor,” she added.

Fajardo said most of these minors had been released to their parents. According to Fajardo, the accosted minors were only reprimanded for their violations.

With the concerning number of minors patronizing e-cigarettes, Fajardo said Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa had a meeting with the PNP for the enforcement of smoking and vaping laws.

“Ito nga po yung primary intention kung bakit nakipagpulong nga po no less than the Secretary of the DOH because they were concerned doon po sa lumalaki po ng bilang ng tumatangkilik na mga minors ng e-cigarettes,” she said.

(This is the primary reason why no less than the Secretary of the DOH met with the PNP because they were concerned with the growing number of minors patronizing e-cigarettes.)

The PNP is currently finalizing some implementing guidelines in connection with their efforts to enforce the smoking and vaping laws, especially for minors.

On March 6, the DOH expressed support for the proposal of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto to ban disposable vape products in the Philippines.

The DOH said that all vape products in general result in significant health risks, including e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, nicotine addiction, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

“Disposable vapes are also made with plastic and batteries which are not easily recyclable or biodegradable. These items result in electronic waste (e-waste) that contains harmful chemicals that can seep into soil and water sources, posing risks to both the environment and public health,” the agency added.

Recto on Tuesday proposed banning disposable vapes in the country, saying that most of them are unregistered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and do not pay excise taxes.

“We don’t know if it’s safe being unregulated. They do not pay taxes and are sold/appeal to minors,” the Finance Secretary said, adding that he had yet to formally inform the DTI about his proposal. — DVM, GMA Integrated News