ILOILO City – Electronic cigarettes or vapes are finding their way into the hands of Iloilo’s youth through deceptive marketing and disguised designs that even parents fail to detect — a growing trend that health officials say is putting an entire generation at risk.
“Most vape liquids contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that rewires the brain, especially in youth,” warned nurse Analeen Galilea, Tobacco Control Program coordinator of the Iloilo City Health Office.
What makes this more dangerous is how vapes are disguised, she said.
“Some look like pens or juice bottles. Even parents can’t tell what their kids are usin,” Galilea revealed.
Her team has encountered disturbing cases during school visits.
“Some children wear vapes as necklaces. Others use vape pens disguised as ballpens or juice bottles,” Galilea shared. “We need to educate both children and parents.”
Health authorities stress that contrary to the belief that vapes are a safer alternative to smoking, they pose severe health risks — some even more dangerous than traditional cigarettes.
“The first and most alarming risk is to the lungs,” Galilea said. “There’s a condition called EVALI – E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury, a potentially fatal disease caused by inhaling chemicals directly into the lungs.”
Regular vape use, she added, can lead to:
* Chronic bronchitis
* Worsening of asthma symptoms
* Nicotine addiction, which impairs brain development, memory, and increases anxiety and depression
* Elevated heart rate and blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular disease
* Oral health issues, such as dry mouth, gum disease, and soft tissue damage
* Cancer risks from toxic substances like formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and heavy metals
* Gateway addiction to traditional cigarettes
These warnings come as the Iloilo City Government reported a total of 4,231 individuals apprehended for smoking-related violations from January to June 2025 — 633 of them caught using vapes.
Although there are no recorded cases of EVALI in the city to date, Galilea cautioned against complacency. “We’ve checked with DOH and hospitals, no confirmed cases yet, but we must act now before it’s too late,” she said.
Vaping is already banned in public spaces under Ordinance No. 2017-002, which covers both enforcement and public health education.
“Whether it’s a cigarette or a vape, it’s still smoking, and it’s still dangerous,” Galilea emphasized. “Nicotine doesn’t care if it comes from a cigarette or a vape device, it still damages the lungs and brain, especially for youth and pregnant women.”
She also warned about secondhand vape exposure.
“When someone vapes near you, you’re inhaling the same chemicals they exhale. Non-smokers — especially children — are at greater risk because they absorb those toxins passively,” she added. “The risk of cancer from secondhand vape smoke is real.”
To counter the trend, the City Health Office has ramped up its information campaigns in schools, especially elementary campuses where vape use reportedly begins. Initiatives include:
* Public school outreach programs
* Quarterly Tobacco Control Board meetings
* Community press conferences
* Observance of World No Tobacco Day and the upcoming Lung Month in August
This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme was “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” focusing on how vape products are misleadingly marketed as harmless.
The City Health Office also utilizes social media to post infographics, videos, and public advisories on the dangers of smoking and vaping.
“We are not just enforcing the law,” Galilea said. “We are fighting for the health of our youth and for a smoke-free Iloilo City.”/PN
