ALARMED  by the growing number of Filipino youth hooked on e-cigarettes and vapes, 1Tahanan Party-list Representative Nathaniel Oducado has filed House Resolution No. 43, seeking a congressional inquiry into the implementation of Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

The resolution aims to assess the effectiveness of current regulatory mechanisms, particularly the role of the Department of Trade and Industry, which has primary jurisdiction over e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products under the law.

“There are clear gaps in regulation and confusion over agency responsibilities. We need to urgently review the implementation of RA 11900 to protect the health and safety of our youth,” Oducado said in a statement.

The lawmaker also expressed concern over widespread misconceptions about vaping, with many minors believing it is a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.

A recent survey cited in the resolution revealed that 14% of Filipino youth now use e-cigarettes, with 70% believing vaping is less harmful and 51% admitting they use it as a coping mechanism for personal problems.

“These findings point to a dangerous trend — one that combines misinformation with emotional vulnerability among our youth,” Oducado warned.

“We must act before this turns into a full-blown public health crisis,” he added.

Oducado stressed the need for stricter enforcement, better monitoring, and stronger public education campaigns to counter misleading narratives about vaping.

“We cannot allow profit-driven marketing or weak enforcement to endanger an entire generation’s well-being,” he said.