ILOILO City — Alarmed by the growing use of vape products among minors and young people, the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has intensified its anti-smoking and anti-vaping campaign across the region, warning that nicotine addiction is becoming a serious threat to the health and brain development of the youth.
Health authorities said electronic cigarettes are far from harmless and may expose users — including non-smokers through second-hand aerosol exposure — to toxic and cancer-causing substances linked to lung and cardiovascular diseases.
“The Department of Health reminds the public that smoking and vaping are harmful to health and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer. Nicotine in cigarettes and vape products is highly addictive and may negatively affect brain development among children and adolescents,” the agency stressed.
“The DOH also reminds parents, schools, and communities to remain vigilant against the growing use of vape products among the youth,” it added.
DOH Region 6 urged local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas to sustain aggressive tobacco control programs through smoke-free and vape-free ordinances, public awareness campaigns, smoking cessation initiatives, and stricter monitoring of compliance in public places and government offices.
The agency emphasized that vaping is not a harmless alternative to smoking, contrary to widespread misconceptions. According to DOH-6, vape aerosols may contain nicotine, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and cancer-causing substances that pose risks to lung and cardiovascular health.
Health officials also underscored the dangers of second-hand smoke and vape aerosol exposure, especially to vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and people with existing illnesses.
To strengthen enforcement and sustain anti-tobacco gains, DOH-6 said it rebranded the Red Orchid Award into the Tobacco Control Leadership (TCL) award, recognizing LGUs and institutions that consistently maintain smoke-free and vape-free environments.
“The Department of Health rebranded the Red Orchid Award into the Tobacco Control Leadership or the TCL. This further promotes that beyond the recognition and the award, sustainability of the program must take place. Most of the winning LGUs maintain and sustains being a Smoke and Vape Free Community. Every year, there had been intentions of joining, not just from the LGUS but facilities, as well,” said DOH-6.
Based on the 2025 assessment of tobacco control governance, Aklan emerged with the highest compliance rate after 16 out of its 17 municipalities adopted tobacco control ordinances and policies.
Antique posted an 89-percent compliance rate, while Guimaras and Capiz also registered strong implementation figures.
In Iloilo province, 30 out of 43 municipalities have either enacted or are pursuing tobacco control ordinances, while all nine district health centers in Iloilo City are implementing city-wide tobacco control measures through the City Health Office.
DOH-6 admitted, however, that sustaining enforcement, funding, trained personnel, and cessation services remains a challenge for many local governments.
According to DOH-6, primary tobacco control strategies include enforcing smoke-free and vape-free policies in public venues and government offices under its Healthy Workplace, Healthy Learning Institutions, and Healthy Communities campaigns.
The agency also provides monitoring services and technical assistance to LGUs to ensure compliance with tobacco control ordinances and adherence to the World Health Organization’s MPOWER strategies promoting tobacco cessation and prevention.
Partnerships with schools, healthcare institutions, community organizations, and other government agencies also remain a critical component of the region’s tobacco prevention efforts, DOH-6 added.
The health agency likewise continues to support Smoking Cessation Programs in health facilities and LGUs while promoting Brief Tobacco Interventions that train healthcare workers to identify and assist patients struggling with tobacco dependency.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorically stated that no form of tobacco or nicotine use is safe. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, many of them toxic, including at least 70 known carcinogens.
DOH-6 stressed that the dangers of second-hand exposure to cigarette smoke and vape aerosols also cannot be underestimated, as individuals exposed to these substances face increased risks for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The agency reiterated that avoiding smoking and vaping altogether remains the best protection against serious diseases and long-term health complications, while encouraging individuals trying to quit to seek help from smoking cessation programs./PN