By Lane Afable, News Editor
Starting today, all aged below 18 years old (minors) are now prohibited from vaping within the City of Cabuyao, Laguna.
Moreover, it is also now illegal to sell, distribute, and posess vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products to minors as prescribed in the newly-approved local law known as the Cabuyao Youth Vaping Prevention Ordinance of 2026.
City Councilor Evelyn Gutierrez Del Rosario, proponent of the ordinance, said that her legislation is aimed to strengthen the enforcement of Republic Act (RA) 11900 as directed by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
RA 11900 is an act regulating the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, and novel tobacco products that lapse into law on July 25, 2022 without the signature of the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in accordance with Article VI Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.
Del Rosario, a Registered Nurse, recognizes public health as a top-tier concern and a priority duty she’s sworn to uphold; thus, preventing minors from risks associated with and borne from the use of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products through legislation is one of her meaningful endeavors as a city public official.
The ordinance sets a new city policy that include:
a) Strictly enforce the prohibition against the sale, distribution, possession, and use of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products by persons below eighteen (18) years of age or the minors;
b) Protect the youth of Cabuyao from nicotine addiction and the adverse health effects of vaping;
c) Strengthen local enforcement mechanisms to complement national regulations under RA 11900; and,
d) Promote a smoke-free and vape-free environment for minors and young adults within the city.
The city ordinance follows the penalties provided for non-compliance in Section 23 of RA 11900, to wit:
(a) For any violation of Section 15, if the offender is a person; and Section 17, if the offender is a juridical person, the following shall be imposed:
(i) On the first offense, a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00);
(ii) On the second offense, a fine of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00); and,
(iii) On the third offense, a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00): Provided, That the business permits and licenses, in the case of a business entity or establishment, shall be revoked or cancelled.
(b) For any violation of Sections 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 20, if the offender is a retailer, the following shall be imposed:
(i) On the first offense, any person or any business entity or establishment selling, distributing or purchasing Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products and Novel Tobacco Products to, for or from a minor shall be fined the amount of Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than thirty (30) days, upon the discretion of the court. For succeeding offenses, both penalties shall apply in addition to the revocation of the business licenses or permits in the case of a business entity or establishment;
(ii) If the violation is done by an establishment or business entity, the owner, president, manager, or the most senior officers thereof shall be held liable for the offense; and,
(iii) If a minor is caught selling, buying or using any Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products and Novel Tobacco Products, the DOH and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall implement appropriate intervention programs, including, but not limited to, counseling of the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian.
(c) For any violation of Sections 8, 12, 13, 14 and 18, if the offender is a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, the following shall be imposed:
(i) On the first offense, a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00);
(ii) On the second offense, a fine of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00); and,
(iii) On the third offense, affine of Four hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than three (3) years, or both, at the discretion of the court: Provided, That the business permits and licenses, in the case of a business entity or establishment, shall be revoked or cancelled.
(d) For any violation of Sections 4 and 5 of this Act, if the offender is a manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer, the following shall be imposed:
(i) On the first offense, a fine of Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00) and imprisonment of two (2) years;
(ii) On the second offense, a fine of Four million pesos (P4,000,000.00) and imprisonment of four (4) years; and
(iii) On the third offense, a fine of Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) and imprisonment of six (6) years: Provided, That the business permits and licenses, in the case of a business entity or establishment, shall be revoked or cancelled.
Online sellers and distributors of Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products or No
