Parents raise alarm over plan to make vapes available in ‘sari-sari’ stores

Using nicotine during adolescence can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.

according to Us Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the brain keeps developing until about the age of 25.

it added that each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections, or synapses, are built between brain cells.

“Young people’s brains build synapses faster than adult brains. nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed. Using nicotine in adolescence may also increase the risk for future addiction to other drugs,” the Us CDC stated.

Nicotine is harmful

with this, the Parents against Vape (PAV) has raised alarm against the plan of Philip Morris international inc (PMI) to make its heated tobacco product BONDS by iqos available in sari-sari stores nationwide.

the PAV also called on other parents and guardians to take a stance against the plan of the PMI. BONDS by iqos with its accompanying tobacco sticks, Blends is a new product from iqos.

Formally launched in 2019 in Davao City, Parents against Vape is an association of parents working together to promote policies that protect children and youth against the harmful effects of vapes and e-cigarettes.

BONDS by iqos is the Pmi’s heated tobacco product that was launched recently in the Philippines. the product is intended for adults who would otherwise continue smoking or using other nicotine products.

Both BONDS by iqos and Blends are now available in Metro Manila as of november 2022, with more sari-sari stores expected to carry the product next year.

“nicotine, in any form, is harmful to our child’s growing brain. we, as parents and others, should take efforts to reduce the exposure of our young children to e-cigarettes,” PAV said. “Vaping is far from being safe.”

Serious public health issue

PAV added that vaping among the youth is a serious public health issue.

PAV is also worried about the impact of ecigarettes on the lungs, for according to the Us CDC, vaping can fill the lungs with many aerosols, including nicotine and vitamin e acetate.

laboratory data show that vitamin e acetate, an additive in some tetrahydrocannabinol (thc)containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, is strongly linked to the e-cigarette or Vape-associated

lung injury (evali) outbreak.

EVALI in PH

in 2019, the Department of Health (DOH) officially received a report on the first case of evali from a private pediatric pulmonologist based in the Visayas.

according to the case report, the patient is a 16-year-old female adolescent who had been using e-cigarettes for six months while concurrently consuming combustible cigarettes, referred to as “dual use.”

“as parents we should not let our children try e-cigarettes at all. let us be concerned with the health and welfare of our children,” PAV said.

“this Christmas, the best gift we can give our children is good health. let’s make sure that they are safe and free from harms brought by vapes and e-cigarettes,” PAV stressed.