Smoke, vape-free bill pushed

Public health advocates and child rights organizations convened Thursday to build legislative and public support for House Bill 9306, a proposed measure establishing a nationwide smoke-free and vape-free policy across all public spaces and workplaces.

The bill, authored by Albay First District Representative Cielo Krisel Lagman and filed in June 2026, proposes eliminating indoor designated smoking areas and banning smoking and electronic cigarette use in all enclosed public venues, government facilities, and employment sites across the country.

Lagman clarified during the session that the measure does not outlaw the sale or possession of tobacco and electronic cigarette products, but aims to protect non-smokers and children from exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor emissions.

Under the bill’s provisions, designated outdoor smoking and vaping areas must be located exclusively in open-air spaces without roofs or walls, situated at least 10 meters away from building entrances, exits, windows, and pedestrian pathways.

The legislation mandates the creation of local smoke-free and vape-free task forces across all provinces, cities, and municipalities, chaired by local chief executives and co-chaired by municipal health officers.

The measure requires local government units to allocate a minimum of 3 percent of their local health budgets to fund task force operations and enforcement programs.

Advocacy groups including the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, the Child Rights Network, Parents Against Vape, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids pointed to established local ordinances in cities such as Baguio, Iloilo, Davao, Balanga, Tabaco, and Butuan as proof of implementation feasibility.

Committee hearings on the bill in the House Committee on Health are scheduled to commence next month, with civil society groups planning multi-sectoral campaign activities to engage local governments and affected commercial sectors prior to formal deliberations.