An individual is photograph vaping an electronic cigarette in Quezon City on May 31, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for the creation of a law that would penalize those who will bring vapes and cigarettes in schools, Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr. said on Tuesday, days ahead of the opening of classes this school year.

The DOH has observed several public school students using vapes outside school premises after classes, Herbosa told state television PTV.

"Dapat balangkasin na natin ang polisiya na wala na dapat estudyante na nagdadala ng vape sa eskwelahan kasi ang nangyayari doon paglabas na paglabas ng eskwelahan, doon sila nag ve-vape," Herbosa said.

"Hindi nila alam na masama ito sa kanilang kalusugan kaya kailangan maipagbawal na din itong vape sa loob ng paaralan, ganoon din ang sigarilyo, ganoon din ang droga," he said.

"Very important na maging policy muna siya… Dapat hindi sila nakakahawak at nakakagamit nitong vape products na ito," he added.

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While this proposal has yet to be legislated into law, officials should make sure that neither vapes nor cigarettes are sold in stores which are 100 meters away from schools, the Health Secretary said, noting that this is already part of existing laws.

The DOH also recently awarded 83 public schools with P200,000 each for complying with high health standards and programs for students, Herbosa said.

These schools have implemented all DOH-recommended programs for students such as balanced diet programs, clean toilets, and mental health assistance initiatives, he said.

"Mayroon ding kasamang pera na binigay kami around P200,000 sa bawat school para mapaganda yung mga pasilidad sa bawat school na yun," he said.

"Tutulungan namin silang maging malusog para makapagturo sa ating mga kabataan," he said. "Gusto namin na yung mga teacher malusog para yung mga kabataan maging malusog din."

The DOH said it has been coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) in preparations ahead of the opening of classes to ensure that schools and teachers are equipped against health issues among students.

The DOH added that it has distributed "mosquito-treated screens" to schools as another measure against the possible presence of dengue-carrying mosquitoes in schools.