BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Benjamin Magalong is now pushing for a ban on all vapes, after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera confirmed that a vape device containing marijuana was confiscated from a school in Baguio City. According to Magalong, the PDEA presented him with two vapes containing marijuana and a lighter that were voluntarily given by a school and were subjected to laboratory examination and tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis. Because of this, Magalong reaffirmed his position against the use and sale of all vape devices in the city, due to this serious health problem, especially in the youth sector. “We have clearly and explicitly stated that we strongly recommend a complete ban on vape due to serious health issues. That is why we, in the concern of Baguio, advocate for a complete ban,” Magalong said. Currently, the Smoke-Free Task Force personnel are continuing to enforce the City Ordinance No. 34, series of 2017, which prohibits the sale of vape devices, but the accessibility of online purchases and through illegal operations pose obstacles to the complete implementation of the ordinance. “ The sale of vape devices online is also widespread and one of the real challenges there is that they are mixed with various types of drugs. We are now coordinating with each school to restrict students from using vape.” PDEA is now a partner of the city in their intervention operations and increasing preventive awareness campaigns as part of their commitment to a healthier and safer Smoke-Free Baguio City. Young vape user shares why he support a vape ban Drawing from his own experience as a vaper at age 14, a 17-year-old senior high school student in the city is speaking out against vaping. The student recently shared his experience and insights on the vice with the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force as the city government drummed up support to the proposed Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Bill by Rep. Krisel Lagman filed before the House of Representatives last June 1, 2026. He admitted turning to vape due to peer pressure and family problems, a choice he now regrets. He now believes vaping should be banned in the country because of its harmful effects on health, finances and young people’s mental well-being. He said vaping affects a person’s physical health, relating that before he started vaping, he could climb stairs and do physical activities with ease. After years of use, however, he noticed that he became easily tired and short of breath. He also pointed to the social pressure surrounding vaping among young people. According to him, some teenagers feel excluded or labeled as “different” if they do not vape, pushing others to start using the products just to fit in and be “cool.” “It creates social barriers. Pag hindi ka gumagamit yan, out ka na. Kasi since ngayon nga, mga kabataan ngayon is you want to be in, gusto nating ina-accept tayo ng mga tao. Pero pag hindi ka gumagamit ng vape, ay, out ka. Weirdo ka,” he said. “So isa siya sa dahilan kung bakit dapat maban ang vapes. Our youth years are supposed to be fun, supposed to be creating memories with your friends, and hindi dapat tayo na-cancel or na-out dahil hindi ka gumagamit lang ng vape na ginagamit niya.” The student said vaping has become increasingly common among minors. He recalled seeing children as young as Grade 4 already using vapes, while some members of his own family started as early as Grade 7. He said it is sad to see children who should be spending their time playing outdoors instead turning to vaping. Another reason he supports a ban is the financial burden of the habit. He estimated that he spent around P18,000 on vape products over three years, money he believes could have been saved or used for more important needs. The student also shared how vaping affected his mental health. He said he first turned to vaping during a difficult period in his life when his family was experiencing problems. At first, the nicotine provided temporary relief and made him feel accepted by his peers. “I was in cloud nine, masaya ang lahat na bagay sa bawat path ko. Ang sasaya ng buwan, ang gaan ng pakiramdam. But it was all temporary,” he said. Over time, he developed dependence on nicotine and became anxious and irritable whenever he could not use his vape. “Slowly, over time, nasasakal ako ng vape. Napag hindi ko siya ginamit, or I was not taking that nicotine hit is, nababaliw ako, like, where’s my vape? Does anyone have a vape na pwede kong mag-hit? I was really going crazy na hindi ko siya nagagamit. Yung pag hindi mo talaga siya nagamit is nababaliw ka, hindi ka makaisip ng matino, maggalit ka pa, which will affect the people also around you.” After deciding to quit, he struggled through the first month but eventually noticed significant improvements in his overall well-being. “Ang hirap niya, hindi ko kinakaya. Pero after a month, naging magaan ang buhay, not temporarily, but it was long-term already. Comparing to me using vape na magaan ang feeling mo, in just 10 minutes ngayon, buong araw ka na magaan ang feeling mo kasi wala na yung paggamit mo ng vape. Ma-appreciate mo na ang buhay, the world is healing, ganoon yung pakiamdam mo.” He said the fact that he no longer worries about hiding the habit from his family or constantly thinking about his next nicotine hit also freed him from anxiety He urged fellow young people to learn from his experience, avoid vaping and for the current users, begin their journey toward quitting. He added that protecting the health and future of Filipino youth should be a priority and believes stronger measures against vaping can help achieve that goal. “Vaping destroys your lungs and your body. It creates social barriers. Hindi ito dapat ginagamit ng kabataan. Mahal ang pagbili at paggamit ng vape and the most important thing
