EDITORIAL — Ban cigarettes too

If he could have his way, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa wants to push for a total ban on vape products due to their toxic and addictive substances.

“My personal stand is to ban vape, because it is poison. I am the secretary of health so why will I give poison to the Filipinos and the youth?... It is not less harmful. I see it to be more harmful though this hasn’t come out before – these dangerous illnesses such as EVALI or E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury,” Herbosa was quoted as saying in a Philstar.com report.

Well, we suppose this is good. Vaping is now becoming popular among young people who think it’s “cooler” and “safer” than just regular smoking. Stopping them from vaping will be doing them a favor where their health is concerned.

But why stop there? There’s already something dangerous out there that should also be banned; something people use even more widely than vapes. We are referring to cigarettes. Why not a total ban on those as well?

Everyone knows the dangers of smoking. It is a primary cause of lung cancer and opens the body up to other illnesses like heart and circulatory system issues, respiratory system problems, and type 2 diabetes, among others.

Not only is it dangerous for the smoker, it’s also annoying and dangerous for anyone near him or her who happens to inhale second-hand smoke, which studies show is actually more dangerous than mainstream smoke.

It’s a wonder why smokers continue with their vice despite all the dangers they face themselves and bring to those around them. And many of them have no qualms about smoking in public; we are talking about PUJ drivers, ambulant vendors, and even ordinary people in the street.

Speaking of streets, do we even have to mention that cigarette butts make up a huge part of urban litter? With a casual flick of the wrist, a smoker can discard a cigarette butt anywhere. These are small enough to clog drainage systems if enough accumulate.

Along with vaping, cigarettes should also be banned. It will be good for health and the environment.