A pulmonologist suggested setting the minimum age of people allowed to use vapes from 18 to 25 years old as the World Health Organization called for urgent action to protect children and non-smokers against the risks of e-cigarettes and minimize health harms to the population.
Dr. Maricar Limpin, past president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), raised the alarm over reports that adolescents aged 13 to 15 have started using vapes.
She urged the government to act on this problem by proposing possible amendments to Republic Act No. 11900.
Limpin blamed the provision in RA 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act or the Vape Law, which lowered the legal age to purchase these items from 21 to 18 years old.
According to the pulmonologist, raising the minimum age to 25 is ideal because this is when the maturation of the brain’s control center begins.
Limpin earlier said vapes must not be construed as a safer alternative to tobacco or real cigarettes.
The Parents Against Vape (PAV) supported Limpin’s call, saying it is one of the important ways to protect young people from the harms of tobacco use, including e-cigarettes
PAV said it is alarming to witness increasing numbers of young people, as early as 13 to 15 years old, engaged in vaping.
Significant health issues are being reported in individuals as young as 21 to 23 years old because of their exposure and addiction to vape products, according to the group.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Health expert recommends raising minimum age requirement for vape users.”