A Cebu-based pulmonologist is calling for intensified education campaigns and stricter prevention efforts to curb nicotine use among young people, as both smoking and vaping continue to gain traction among adolescents.
Dr. Gerard Garcia, chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Cebu Doctors’ University, said awareness and early intervention remain key in preventing nicotine addiction before it starts.
Speaking during the “Hisgutan Ta!” Media Forum on May 28, Garcia stressed the importance of sustained information drives in schools and communities to explain the health risks of both traditional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes.
He said prevention efforts should focus on discouraging initiation among the youth, who are increasingly exposed to vaping products through social media and peer influence.
“I think we should target the initiation of smoking, especially vaping. Once they start, they’ll open up and they’ll start smoking later on,” Garcia said.
Garcia noted that vaping is often marketed with appealing flavors and presented as a modern alternative to cigarettes, making it attractive to younger users.
However, he warned that while vaping may be considered less harmful than combustible cigarettes in some studies, it is not without health risks.
“It is safer than the cigarette, but again, it’s not harmless,” he said.
The pulmonologist said misconceptions about vaping highlight the need for accurate, science-based public information on nicotine use and its long-term effects.
He also urged local government units to take a more active role in bringing health education programs to communities, particularly targeting students and young adults.
“I think information dissemination is very crucial also,” he said.
Garcia added that parents and caregivers play a critical role in guiding children and limiting their exposure to smoking and vaping influences.
“I think the parents also, or the caretakers should be involved also,” he said, noting that “the children are very vulnerable.”
He also called for stricter enforcement of regulations prohibiting the sale of vaping and nicotine products to minors.
Garcia warned that tobacco use does not only affect smokers but also exposes others to secondhand smoke and harmful residues.
He cited diseases linked to smoking, including lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Despite these concerns, Garcia said he remains optimistic that sustained education campaigns can help reduce nicotine use among the youth, noting that students are often receptive when presented with factual, science-based discussions.
Photo by Kaiser Jan Fuentes
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