TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-2 P4:58
SENATE 
S. No. 29
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE POSSESSION AND USE OF HEATED TOBACCO PRODUCTS 
AND VAPOR PRODUCTS INCLUDING ITS CONSUMABLES AND DEVICES IN 
ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution mandates the State to protect and promote the right to health 
of the people and to instill health consciousness among them. In the fulfillment of this 
constitutional duty, it is imperative to address the growing threat posed by the 
increasing use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) and vapor products, or most 
commonly known as "vapes" within educational institutions.
The Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research 
Institute (DOST-FNRI) presented alarming data on the surge in vape use among the 
youth. In 2021, over 37,000 young individuals were recorded as vape users. By 2023, 
this figure had risen dramatically by over 1,000%, reaching approximately 423,000 
users.1 This trend aligns with previous research, reinforcing concerns about youth e- 
cigarette use in the Philippines. The 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey reported that 
14.1% of Filipino students aged 13 to 15 had already used e-cigarettes.2 Additionally,
ABS-CBN News (2025, March 05). Medical groups declare alcohol, tobacco and vape epidemic 
among youth https;//www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/3/5/medical-groups-declare- 
alcohol-tobacco-and-vape-epidemic-among-youth-2026
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (November 2024). “Philippines GYTS 2019 Fact Sheet 
(Ages 13-15),”GJSS Academy https://drupal.gtssacademy.org/wp- 
content/uploads/2024/11/Philippines-GYTS-2019-Factsheet-Ages-13-15-Final_508tag.pdf


the 2019 National Nutrition Survey revealed that 44% of e-cigarette users in the 
country were non-smokers.3
Worsening the issue is the deliberate design of many modern vape devices to 
resemble everyday school items, such as USB flash drives and pens,4 making them 
easy to conceal and difficult to detect. This deceptive appearance allows students to 
bring and use these devices inside classrooms and campuses, often without the 
knowledge of teachers or parents, thereby undermining school policies and exposing 
peers to harmful secondhand aerosol emissions.
The problem is further intensified by the widespread use of flavored vapes in 
fruity or dessert-like variants, which are especially appealing to adolescents. A study 
published in the Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development5 emphasized 
that these flavors significantly contribute to youth experimentation and sustained use.
The serious health consequences of vaping are no longer hypothetical. In 2024, 
the Philippines reported its first documented death related to E-cigarette or Vaping- 
Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). The 22-year-old victim, previously healthy, suffered 
a fatal heart attack caused by severe lung damage from daily vape use over two 
years.6 This tragic case dispels the myth that vaping is a safe alternative to smoking 
and highlights the urgent need for strong preventive measures.
The unchecked presence of HTPs and vapes in school settings not only 
endangers students' health and development but also disrupts the learning 
environment. While Republic Act No. 11900 or the "Vaporized Nicotine and Non- 
Nicotine Products Regulation Act" prohibits the use of HTPs and vapes on school
3Philippine Information Agency (2025 March 11). “Regulating the growing e-cigarette industry,” 
https://pia.gov.ph/regulating-the-growing-e-cigarette-industry/7utm
4Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “E-cigarettes shaped like USB flash drives: Information 
for parents, educators and health care providers, ” CDC Archive (n.d.), accessed 23 June 2025, 
https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/tobacco/basic_information/e- 
cigarettes/factsheet/index.html?utm
5Samantha J. Ackary, PatrikJ. D. L. Cabrera, Alen J. A. Santiago, and Gianna G. H. Amul. (2025, 
February 13) “Examining the flavor descriptors of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine 
pouches in the Philippines: Regulatory challenges and opportunities, ” PLOS Global Public Health 5, 
no. 2e0004248, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004248.
6Dr. Ma. Eloisa Tan, (2025, February 13) “The Philippines’ Vaping Epidemic,”Lockton News & 
Insights, https://global.lockton.com/ph/en/news-insights/the-philippines-vaping-epidemic


premises, it fails to address their use or possession in areas immediately surrounding 
educational institutions. This legislative gap leaves schools and its nearby areas 
vulnerable to becoming breeding grounds for nicotine addiction among the youth. It 
is imperative to explicitly protect all educational institutions as vape-free spaces that 
promote health, wellness, and positive behavior.
This proposed measure seeks to prohibit the possession and use of HTPs and 
vapor products, including its consumables and devices in all educational institutions, 
whether public or private, and regardless of the user's age or position. Violations shall 
be met with graduated penalties, including written warnings, fines, and mandatory 
community service. Educational institutions shall be required to formulate and enforce 
anti-vaping policies, conduct awareness and prevention campaigns, and coordinate 
with local government units and law enforcement agencies to ensure effective 
implementation.
By enacting this measure, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the 
health and well-being of the Filipino youth, upholding the sanctity of educational 
spaces, and strengthening the country's broader public health campaign against 
nicotine addiction and novel tobacco products.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill and approval of the 
same are earnestly sought.
PIA S. CAYETANO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 29
25 JUL-2 P4 :58
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
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AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE POSSESSION AND USE OF HEATED TOBACCO PRODUCTS 
AND VAPOR PRODUCTS, INCLUDING ITS CONSUMABLES AND DEVICES IN 
ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "NO HTPs and Vapes 
in School Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of all Filipinos, especially the youth, and to instill in them 
a strong sense of health consciousness and personal responsibility. Recognizing the 
harmful effects of heated tobacco products and vapor products, particularly the 
physical, mental, and developmental well-being of the youth, the State shall ensure 
that all educational institutions, whether public or private, and at all levels of basic 
and higher education, are maintained as 100% vape-free environments. These 
institutions must be safe, health-promoting spaces that foster academic excellence, 
discipline, and the holistic development of learners, free from the influence and harms 
of addictive and harmful substances.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:
a) Educational Institution - refers to schools, colleges, universities, training 
centers, or any other institutions engaged in formal, non-formal, or 
technical-vocational education at any level, whether public or private. This 
term includes institutions under the supervision and regulation of the
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Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 
(TESDA).
b) Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) - also referred to as Heated Tobacco 
Product (HTP) Consumables or Heat-Not-Burn Product Consumables, shall 
refer to tobacco products that are intended to be consumed through heating 
tobacco, either electronically or through other means, sufficient to release 
an aerosol that can be inhaled, without combustion of the tobacco. HTP 
Consumables or Heat-Not-Burn Product Consumables may also Include 
liquid solutions and gels that are part of the product and are heated to 
generate an aerosol. HTPs may or may not operate by means of an HTP 
Device.
c) Heated Tobacco Product Device or HTP Device - shall refer to the 
component or combination of components of an HTP System intended to be 
used in combination with HTP Consumables that generate an aerosol 
without combustion.
d) Vapor Products - a I so referred to as Vapor Product Refills, shall refer to the 
liquid, solid, or gel, or any combination thereof, which may or may not 
contain nicotine, that is transformed into an aerosol without combustion by 
a Vapor Product Device.
e) Vapor Product Device - shall refer to a device or a combination of devices 
used to heat a Vapor Product, to produce an aerosol, mist, or vapor that 
users inhale. These may include combinations of a liquid solution or gel that 
are heated and transformed into an aerosol without combustion through the 
employment of a mechanical or electronic heating element, battery, or 
circuit, and includes, but is not limited to, a cartridge, a tank, or a device 
without a cartridge or tank.
Sec. 4. Prohibited Acts. - It shall be unlawful for any person, including, but not 
limited to, students, teaching and non-teaching personnel, school officials and 
administrators, parents, guardians, service providers, and visitors, to commit any of 
the following acts:


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a) Bring into, possess, or carry any HTP, HTP device, vapor product, or vapor 
product device, within the premises of any educational institution;
b) Use, consume, or operate any HTP, HTP device, vapor product, or vapor 
product device, within the premises of any educational institution;
c) Bring, possess, carry, use, consume, or operate HTP, HTP device, vapor 
product, or vapor product device within a two hundred (200) meter radius 
from any point of the perimeter of an educational institution.
Sec. 5 Duties of Educational Institutions - k\\ educational institutions, whether 
public or private, offering basic or higher education, shall be responsible for 
maintaining a vape-free environment and shall undertake the following duties:
a) Adopt and implement institutional policies that are fully aligned with the 
provisions of this Act, including disciplinary measures and internal reporting 
mechanisms for violations;
b) Integrate regular education and information campaigns, in consultation with 
the Department of Health (DOH), in school activities to raise awareness on 
the health risks and harmful effects of HTP, HTP device, vapor product and 
vapor product device;
c) Install clear, highly visible, and permanent signages in strategic areas within 
school premises declaring the prohibition of the possession, use, and sale 
of HTP, HTP device, vapor product, and vapor product device;
d) Establish coordination protocols with local government units, DepEd, CHED, 
TESDA, and law enforcement agencies to ensure effective implementation, 
enforcement, and monitoring of this Act.
Sec. 6. Penalties for Violations by Individuals and Educational Institutions
a) Any person found in violation of this Act shall be subject to the following 
penalties:
i) 
First Offense - Issuance of a written warning and immediate 
confiscation of the HTP, HTP device, vapor product or vapor product 
device;
ii) 
Second Offense - A fine of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (Php 
5,000) and/or mandatory community service, as may be determined 
by the appropriate authorities; and


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iii) Third and Succeeding Offenses - A fine of not less than Ten Thousand 
Pesos (Php 10,000) and/or temporary prohibition from entering the 
premises of the educational institution for a period to be determined 
by the school administration or relevant authorities, without prejudice 
to the filing of further administrative or criminal charges, if warranted. 
The following sanctions may likewise be imposed in addition to the 
aforementioned penalties:
If the violator is a student, disciplinary sanctions shall be imposed in 
accordance with the school's Student Code of Conduct or Discipline, with 
full respect for due process, the evolving capacities of the child, and in a 
manner consistent with the child's best interest, as provided under existing 
laws and policies.
If the violator is a member of the school personnel, appropriate 
administrative sanctions shall be imposed in accordance with civil service 
rules, institutional policies, and other applicable laws and regulations.
If the violator is a visitor or third-party service provider, the 
educational institution may impose sanctions including removal from the 
premises, blacklisting, or termination of service contracts, as may be 
appropriate.
b) Educational institutions that fail to enforce the provisions of this Act shall be 
subject to the following penalties:
i) 
First Violation - Issuance of a formal notice of non-compliance and a 
directive to implement corrective measures within thirty (30) days;
ii) 
Second Violation - A fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 
50,000) and submission of a compliance report within thirty (30) days; 
and
iii) 
Third and Succeeding Violations - A fine of not less than One Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000), mandatory attendance of school 
officials at a public health enforcement seminar, and possible 
suspension of permits or iicenses issued by the DepEd, CHED, and 
TESDA, or relevant regulatory agencies, without prejudice to 
administrative or criminal liability, if warranted.


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Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, in coordination with the DOH 
and DILG, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. -If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general 
circulation.
Approved,