Smoking and vaping in public spaces and workplaces may soon be prohibited nationwide under a proposed measure seeking to establish uniform smoke-free and vape-free standards to protect the public, particularly children, from exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke and vape aerosol.

House Bill No. 9603, or the proposed “Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Bill,” seeks to prohibit smoking and vaping in public areas and workplaces through a uniform national policy modeled after smoke-free ordinances already adopted by some local government units.

Under the proposed measure, indoor designated smoking and vaping areas would be removed, while smoke-free and vape-free zones would be expanded in public spaces and workplaces.

The bill also seeks to require local governments to allocate funds for tobacco and vape control and smoking cessation programs, create local task forces for enforcement, and impose stiffer penalties on violators.

It would likewise institutionalize an incentives system for local government units (LGUs) that effectively implement smoke-free and vape-free policies.

“The harm of tobacco and vape use does not end with the smoker. Millions are exposed to tobacco smoke and vape aerosol in enclosed workplaces, public spaces, and public transportation,” Albay 1st District Rep. Krisel Lagman, principal author of the measure, said in a statement.

“The saddest part is that children, whose lungs are weaker, become casualties of second-hand exposure to cigarette smoke and vape aerosol – isang bagay na hindi dapat natin hinahayaang maging normal o katanggap-tanggap,” she added.

Data cited by the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development showed continued exposure to tobacco smoke and rising vape use in the country.

According to the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey, about 2.5 million adult Filipinos are exposed to tobacco smoke in enclosed workplaces, while 4.2 million reported exposure in public transportation.

The 2023 National Nutrition Survey estimated that about 1.5 million Filipinos use e-cigarettes or vapes.

Follow Tan Briones & Associates on LinkedIn for more legal updates and law-related articles.