“Safe ba talaga?!”: What They’re Not Telling You About Vaping and the Filipino Youth

“Vape lang naman 'yan.” 

“At least Vape, hindi tulad ng sigarilyo.” 

“Mas mabango at mas safe ‘to kesa sa yosi.” 

You’ve probably heard this before or maybe even said it yourself. But let’s get real: while vape culture is booming among Filipino teens and college students, the truth hiding under those fruity clouds isn’t as harmless as it seems. 

The Rise of Vaping in the Philippines 

In malls, schools, even TikTok, vapes are everywhere. They're colorful, sleek, and smell like bubblegum or lychee. That’s marketing magic: make it fun, make it feel safe. 

But behind the aesthetic is a growing health concern. A 2023 report from the Department of Health (DOH) revealed a sharp increase in e-cigarette use among Filipino adolescents aged 13 to 24 with many admitting they started out of curiosity, peer pressure, or simply because “hindi amoy sigarilyo.” 

The Hard Truth: Vape ≠ Safe 

Let’s bust the myth once and for all: most vapes still contain nicotine—sometimes more than cigarettes. Even the ones labeled "nicotine-free" have been caught containing trace amounts. 

Here’s what vaping can do to your body: 

• 🔥 Lungs – Vaping can cause inflammation, coughing, shortness of breath, and long-term damage. Some cases have even led to popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans)—a serious and irreversible condition that scars the smallest airways in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. 

• 🧠 Brain – Your brain is still developing up to age 25. Nicotine affects memory, focus, and emotional control. 

• ❤️ Heart – Vaping raises your heart rate and blood pressure, increasing your risk for heart disease. 

• 😣 Addiction – Many young users say they feel anxious, restless, or irritated without a hit. That’s nicotine doing its job. 

  
  

So “mas safe sa yosi” doesn’t mean safe at all. 

Dr. Maria Encarnita Limpin, Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health Philippines, warned that vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, as both expose users to harmful chemicals that cause serious diseases. Despite declining tobacco use, vape usage is rising among Filipinos, especially the youth, fueled by misleading claims that vaping is safer. She emphasized that vape emissions are toxic aerosols, not harmless vapor.

Vaping and Mental Health: A Silent Cycle 

Here’s what no one talks about: Vaping can mess with your mental health. Many teens start because they’re stressed. But nicotine only offers a temporary high—followed by a deeper crash. That leads to: 

• Mood swings 

• Anxiety 

• Low energy or motivation 

• Cravings that get harder to control over time 

It becomes a loop that’s hard to break. And if you’re also dealing with school pressure, family drama, or social anxiety? Vaping doesn’t fix it—it hides it. 

You Deserve Better 

We get it. Quitting isn’t easy. Especially when all your barkada are vapers, or it feels like the only thing keeping you calm, even sane. 

But here’s what’s cooler: knowing the truth and making choices for you. Your lungs, your brain, your future—it all matters. And you have way more control than the vape industry wants you to think. 

Need Help Quitting? 

At HealthFirst Clinic, we’re here to help. Whether you’re thinking of quitting or just want to understand what’s happening to your body, our wellness team can guide you with: 

• Smoke/vape cessation counseling 

• Nutrient and hormone testing for stress recovery 

• Functional medicine approaches that treat the whole you 

👉 Schedule your check-up today at info@healthfirst.com.ph or call us at (02) 8860 9740.