WITH the school year 2025-2026 about to start, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday called on all private and public schools to prohibit their students from bringing vape products and paraphernalia.
In a televised public briefing, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said they are calling on all school administrators to disallow their students from carrying and using vapes both inside and outside their campuses.
“There should be a policy that will disallow students from bringing their vapes to school,” said Herbosa.
“They (schools) should prohibit their students from bringing their vapes when going to school,” he added.
Similarly, he said there is a need to strictly implement rules banning the sale of vape products within 100 meters of schools.
“We must strictly implement the law, which says there should be no selling of vape products within 100 meters of schools,” said the health chief.
He said making vapes not accessible inside and outside schools would be in accordance with existing laws.
“Those going to school are still below 18 years old. Therefore, they shouldn’t be able to hold and use any vape products,” said Herbosa.
Under Republic Act No. 11900, the sale, promotion, advertising, and product demonstration of vape products within 100 meters of any point of the perimeter of a school is strictly prohibited.
Similarly, the law states that the use of vape products shall be absolutely prohibited in schools, colleges, and universities for persons under 18 years old.
