Rep. Miro Quimbo, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, led a discussion on the growing prevalence of vaping in the Philippines and its potential health and fiscal implications, particularly among the youth.

The hearing focused on the rising use of vape products among young Filipinos and the role of excise taxation in addressing what lawmakers described as an emerging public health concern.

“Just step outside your home, go to a mall, a parking lot, or areas near schools, and you’ll see how widespread vaping has become, especially among the youth. Vaping has evolved into a lifestyle product — flavored, colorful, easily accessible, and aggressively targeted at younger consumers,” Quimbo said.

Citing data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Quimbo noted a sharp rise in nicotine product use among Filipinos aged 10 to 19, increasing from 0.8 percent in 2015 to 3.2 percent in 2019, before surging to 39.9 percent in 2023.

“In just four years, vaping among youth nicotine users increased more than tenfold,” he said, attributing the spike to both new users and a shift from traditional cigarettes to vape products.