Eleksyon 2025 candidates urged to act vs growing epidemic of alcohol, tobacco, vape use among youth

Leading doctors and health experts have sounded the alarm on what they describe as a growing epidemic of alcohol, tobacco, and vape use among the Filipino youth.

Citing new findings that show a dramatic rise in youth consumption, medical societies are calling on 2025 election candidates to take decisive action in protecting public health.

At a press conference Wednesday, doctors from various medical organizations and the Sin Tax Coalition urged senatorial, party-list, and district representative candidates to commit to passing stronger health tax laws. They argued that higher taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and vape products would make them less accessible to young Filipinos.

Public policy think tank Action for Economic Reforms (AER), analyzing data from the National Nutrition Survey, found that alcohol and tobacco consumption among Filipino youth doubled between 2021 and 2023. According to AER, these increases translate to a significant rise in the absolute number of young people using harmful substances.

"Every day that we don't act, another Filipino family loses a loved one while the tobacco, vape, and alcohol industries profit," said Philippine Medical Association (PMA) President Dr. Hector Santos.

"We are tired of watching the devastating health effects of alcohol, tobacco, and vaping on our youth with no action taken by our policymakers. Let us be clear: this is a full-blown epidemic that demands immediate action from our leaders. We are calling on candidates to stand with our parents and youth now so our children don't have to inherit a future of early, preventable deaths and illnesses."

During the conference, doctors and health advocates presented their 2025 Health Agenda, which calls for stricter industry regulations on sales and advertising. Experts warn that aggressive marketing tactics and weak government policies are fueling the surge in youth consumption.

"These industries are making a profit at the expense of our children's health. Flavored vapes, social media promotions, and cheap alcohol products are specifically designed to hook the next generation. Without urgent government intervention, this crisis will spiral out of control," said Dr. Riz Gonzales of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS).

The press conference was attended by representatives from the PPS, the PMA, the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists, the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP), the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Parents Against Vape, and the Sin Tax Coalition.

Advocates stress that government officials must prioritize public health over corporate profits. They emphasized the urgent need for stronger legislation to curb the growing health crisis.

"We must put people over profit to stop a preventable crisis. If our leaders fail to act, they are leaving our youth to fend for themselves against an industry that is actively targeting them like lambs to the slaughter," said Dr. RJ Naguit of the PSPHP.

"Our candidates must take a stand and act decisively to increase taxes on these products."

‘Accountability’

With the 2025 midterm elections approaching, health experts and advocates continue to push for greater accountability from aspiring leaders. They hope that through increased taxation and stricter regulations, the country can stem the rising tide of youth addiction and safeguard the future of Filipino children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Corry Avanceña of the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists further stressed that the vape industry is attracting more young people than our education system.

She underscored the alarming rise in youth vaping, citing a stark comparison between adolescents who start using vapes and those who pursue alternative education under the Department of Education's (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS).

“Nakakagulat—mas marami ang nagsisimula mag-vape kaysa sa nag-eenroll sa DepEd’s Alternative Learning System,” she said.

"This means that the vape industry is attracting more young people than our education system, and we must invest in our children's future," she added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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