Gatchalian Calls for Inter-Agency Task Force to Combat Illegal Cigarette and Vape Trade to Safeguard Youth

Photo by Mark Cayabyab/OS WIN GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian is advocating for the establishment of an Inter-Agency Task Force to tackle the rampant illicit trade in excisable goods, particularly cigarettes and vape products. He emphasizes the importance of a unified approach to prevent youth from being drawn to vaping.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Gatchalian plans to file a resolution proposing the creation of an inter-agency body, led by the Department of Trade and Industry, tasked with conducting market analysis and recommending concrete policy measures.

“If we don’t arrest this problem, mas maraming bata ang papasok sa e-cigarettes. We need to change the consumption habits of the young dahil ito ang papatay sa kanila,” Gatchalian cited data revealing that more than 120,000 adolescents began vaping despite having no prior history of smoking.

Gatchalian expressed his willingness to back the allocation of funds for the inter-agency body. “We need to sound the alarm bells and we hope to secure multi-year funding so we can create sustainability,” he stated.