DOH Advocates Vape Devices Ban Within Schools to Protect Youth
MANILA, Philippines — In observance of No Smoking Month, the Department of Health (DOH) launched a vigorous campaign aiming to ban vape devices within schools. This initiative highlights the urgent need to establish vape-free zones to safeguard students’ health.
The DOH held its culminating event at Eusebio High School in Pasig City, featuring activities that spotlight the dangers of vaping on young people’s well-being. The agency’s presence in schools stresses the importance of creating environments free from tobacco and vape use.
According to DOH Assistant Secretary Gloria Balboa, engaging with students is crucial because many still use vaping products and cigarettes. “We went to schools as they serve as a captive group among youth. Because we would want this to be, with our efforts in making schools environment friendly and have a smoke-free environment,” Balboa shared in an interview.
Increasing Youth Vape Use Alarms Health Officials
Balboa pointed to a worrying rise in tobacco and e-cigarette consumption among Filipino youth. She referenced the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey by the World Health Organization, which revealed that approximately 12.7 percent (809,677) of Filipino youth used tobacco products, while 14.1 percent (913,316) have tried vaping or e-cigarettes.
The DOH has previously warned that vaping can lead to serious health issues, including e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), nicotine addiction, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
First EVALI Death Sparks Urgent Call for Vape Devices Ban Within Schools
The country’s first EVALI-related death involved a 22-year-old man with no prior health problems who suffered a fatal heart attack linked to severe lung injury. Despite no history of smoking or alcohol use, he vaped daily for two years, highlighting the grave risks vaping poses.
In light of this, Balboa emphasized the need to expand anti-vaping advocacy within schools. She noted the strong influence peers have on one another and the value of involving health experts in educating students about the dangers of tobacco and vape use.
“So when they understand, we will have youth champions and ambassadors. Using this, they can influence more of their peers to follow this advocacy to not use tobacco and vape,” Balboa explained.
DOH Strengthens School Campaigns and Partnerships
The DOH plans to sustain continuous information drives in schools to enhance students’ health literacy. Moreover, it collaborates closely with the Department of Education through the latter’s “Oplan Kalusugan” program to reinforce this advocacy nationwide.
These combined efforts aim to create safer, healthier educational environments by banning vape devices within schools and curbing the vaping epidemic among Filipino youth.
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