Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) has called for a nationwide total ban on vape products as it criticized advertisements misleadingly portraying vaping as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a news release on Saturday, the DOH warned that vape use poses serious health dangers, noting that both the vapor and the devices contain harmful chemicals that can lead to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and lung illnesses.

'Madalas na sinasabing walang nikotina at puwedeng alternatibo sa sigarilyo ang vape, pero puno ng kemikal at mapanganib ang usok at ang mismong aparato ng vape (It is often marketed that vape is nicotine-free and can be an alternative to cigarettes, but the smoke and the vape device itself are full of chemicals and are harmful),' it said.

The agency also raised concerns over the variety of flavors and colorful packaging of vape products, which it said easily attract minors to use them.

Citing the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, the DOH said seven out of 10 Filipino youths, 13 years to 15 years, use vape products.

In the past year alone, the Philippines recorded its first death from two years of vape use.

The DOH said the government is increasing its engagement with the international community within the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The DOH Health Promotion Bureau, it said, also sustains efforts to raise awareness among communities, schools, and workplaces about the dangers of vape and cigarettes.