1Tahanan Partylist is pushing for stricter legislation and interventions to combat the rising cases of vaping and online gambling addiction among Filipinos, which continue to pose serious risks to their physical and mental well-being.
Partylist Representative Nathan Oducado told Brigada News FM Kabankalan on Wednesday, July 16, that he raised alarm over the rising number of minors using vape products and engaging in online gambling—prompting him to file a bill aimed at protecting Filipinos, especially the youth.
He stressed the need to move beyond surface-level regulations and focus on addressing the deeper causes behind these addictions.
Research showed that the Philippines now accounts for 2.7 million vape users—around 3% of the global total. Among adolescents aged 13–15, 14.1% are current e-cigarette users, surpassing the 12.5% who use traditional tobacco.
The 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey also revealed that 24.5% of students in this age group have tried vaping, while 37% of youth smokers said they could still access tobacco products despite age restrictions.
He also underscored the growing mental health threat linked to online gaming. With 29.9 million active gamers in the country, the Philippines is seeing a sharp increase in gaming-related behavioral issues, especially among adolescents.
The World Health Organization (WHO) now classifies online gaming addiction as a mental health condition.
A recent study found a strong correlation between online game addiction and depression among adolescents in Manila. Researchers attributed this link to the booming internet industry and the country’s lack of accessible mental health services.
Oducado said he will focus on crafting policies that directly address these findings—by strengthening interventions, regulating or possibly banning online gambling platforms, and expanding access to mental health services before the crisis worsens.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.