Philippines registers first vape-related death

THE Philippines has registered its first death due to e-cigarette or vape-associated lung injury (EVALI), coinciding with World No Tobacco Day on Friday, May 31, according to the Department of Health (DOH). 

A 22-year-old male Filipino died of a heart attack after suffering a severe lung injury, despite having no prior health conditions. This can be attributed to his nearly two-year daily vaping habit. 

During yesterday’s DOH event, Dr. Rizalina Gonzalez of the Philippine Pediatric Society explained that the patient had never smoked a cigarette but was using various types of vapes on a daily basis.

“Healthy, sporty… walang bisyo, non-smoker. Pumunta sa PGH kasi sumisikip ang dibdib tapos may ubo. ‘Pag kita sa lungs niya, puti, so yong tinatawag nating white-out lung,” Dr. Gonzalez said.

“So in layman’s term, pwede nating sabihing parang nabura iyong clear lungs niya kasi binara. lyong mga vape chemicals, naka-induce ng pamamaga at tsaka iyong tinatawag na inflammation.”

“Ngayon, iyon ding vape na iyon ang naging cause para maging barado ang mga ugat sa kanyang heart, kaya nagkaroon ng parang nag-heart attack, yong tinatawag nating mycardial infarction,” she explained during the forum.

Moreover, the DOH said that this is just one of the six cases of EVALI recorded in the Philippines. Another one is a 16-year-old from Central Visayas, and a 22-year-old from Alabang. One is a dual smoker, while the latter shifted to vape.

Dr. Gonzalez also said that vapes may appear to have “smaller but stronger” nicotine contents inside it, proven by how it has affected several younger individuals that suffered injuries from it. 

Meanwhile, DOH Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo spoke to the youth during the forum. He warned them that vaping and smoking is just as harmful as the other, affecting the body, more particularly the heart.

“Mga kabataan, nakakasira ng puso ang vape. Paano na iyan; kinalimutan ka na nga niya, nag-vape ka pa? Sirang-sira na ang puso mo. Iyong puso niyo, okay lang masaktan kung pag-ibig pero huwag niyong saktan na vape ang gamit,” he said.

In honor of World No Tobacco Day, health experts rallied on Friday to urge the public to protect children from tobacco industry manipulation. 

Furthermore, the DOH intends to raise the legal age for vape consumption from 18 to 21 by modifying the Vape Law and passing the Tobacco Illicit Trade Bill in accordance with FCTC standards. 

The Health Department, in collaboration with partner agencies and non-governmental health organizations, wants to reduce demand and supply of such products while simultaneously strengthening controls.