Not Just Another Puff-Piece: The Impact of the E-Cigarette Industry on Environment, Policy, and Health in the Philippines
In the early 21st century, the electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) was invented by pharmacist Hon Lik. The following years saw a rise in the popularity of Hon’s invention, a product that was marketed as a health-conscious nicotine alternative to combustible cigarettes. In 2021, the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) reported that there are an estimated 82 million e-cigarette users worldwide. This number continues to increase by nearly 20% each year. In the same study, the GSTHR also concluded that 3% of this total number of global users are from the Philippines. Similarly, the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) revealed that almost 25% of Filipino students aged 13 to 15 have used an e-cigarette. These concerning numbers are due to the advertisement of e-cigarettes as a safe alternative approach to nicotine usage. Researchers have yet to conduct longitudinal research into the health and environmental impacts of e-cigarette usage in both the Philippines and worldwide. While it is unclear whether any human health benefits can be discerned, it is clear that due to its prevalence worldwide, the e-cigarette industry will pose a new threat to the environment.
Through the abundant production of cigarette filters, the tobacco industry is currently the second largest producer of plastic pollution in the world. With the invention of the e-cigarette the environment and global communities will face a new threat —vape and e-cigarette waste which has the potential to generate more pollution than even the tobacco industry. The three most common categories of waste generated from vapes and e-cigarettes are plastic, electronic, and biohazard chemicals, which come from disposable devices, e-liquid containers, packaging, and batteries, which are expected to significantly add to global plastic pollution. The retail value of these e-cigarettes has increased by nearly 400% from 2015 to 2020. Retail value is directly translatable to popularity within the global community. This metric, therefore, indicates a growing prevalence of e-cigarettes around the world, and it can be assumed that these numbers will manifest in higher production of waste.
A Truth Initiative Report from 2021 suggested that many countries worldwide have faced issues related to the improper disposal of these devices, which can contribute to local environmental degradation. For example, only 15% of vape users globally have claimed they disposed of their products via electronic recycling. Without adequate recycling facilities, the Philippines and other countries may be unable to address these growing numbers. Many tobacco companies exacerbate these issues by attempting to greenwash their initiatives, claiming they will engage in clean-up practices without further action.
Life Cycle Assessment of E-Cigarettes
The environmental impact of e-cigarettes goes beyond their consumption and disposal. Since vaping has only become popular recently, the conduct of comprehensive life cycle assessments (e.g. cradle-to-grave analysis) of vape devices remains insufficient. The succeeding section presents a brief life cycle analysis that can shed light on problematic components in the life cycle of vapes. The extraction and manufacturing of raw materials for the production of e-cigarettes alone already leads to great environmental impacts and this is further compounded throughout the remaining elements in the cycle. The findings of the analysis are visualized in the image on the right.
Extraction of Raw Materials and Manufacturing
Along with the decreased impact of e-cigarettes on the users’ health compared to regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes are also advertised as more environment-friendly options due to their rechargeable and refillable options. However, these devices are still composed of various materials such as aluminum and lithium for batteries and electronic components. Extraction of these materials contributes to substantial environmental impacts, specifically associated with significant greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of fossil fuels. Processing these raw materials also contributes to environmental degradation as they often require large amounts of energy and water, leading to high carbon footprints and potential water scarcity issues. Assembly of the electric components for their rechargeable features also involves the use of hazardous chemicals, which when not managed properly, results in toxic emissions and waste.
Packaging and Distribution
Packaging e-cigarettes are usually made of single-use plastic which adds to the already existing plastic waste and further contributes to the overall environmental footprint of the product. Moreover, due to popular demand, the distribution and transportation of these products also impact the environment by contributing to the consumption of fossil fuels and the generation of greenhouse gasses. While there are local manufacturers of e-cigarettes in the Philippines, a significant portion of e-cigarettes sold in the country are imported from China and the United States.
Use Phase
When vapes and e-cigarettes are used, consumption of electricity is prevalent to sustain their rechargeable feature. The production and disposal of e-liquids present additional environmental challenges because they often contain nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and various flavorings, which can be harmful if released into the environment.
Health and Environmental Risks
Beyond the direct environmental impacts, vaping poses health risks that have indirect environmental consequences. Secondhand vapor can release harmful chemicals into the air, contributing to indoor air pollution. Moreover, the production and improper disposal of e-liquids can lead to the release of toxic substances into ecosystems, affecting wildlife and water quality.
Disposal and Recycling
The disposal of e-cigarettes and accessories poses significant environmental concerns as many e-cigarettes, especially disposable ones, are not designed for easy recycling. As a result, a large number end up in landfills, contributing to electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste can leach hazardous substances like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants into the soil and water, posing risks to both the environment and human health. Recycling vape products is complicated due to the mixture of materials and the presence of potentially hazardous substances. Lithium-ion batteries, for instance, require special handling to avoid environmental contamination and fires. Inadequate recycling infrastructure and consumer awareness further hinder effective e-waste management.
To mitigate the environmental impact of vaping, several measures can be taken. Manufacturers can adopt more sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials, designing products for easier recycling, and reducing energy consumption in production. Governments and regulatory bodies can implement stricter e-waste management policies and promote recycling programs. Consumers can also play a role by choosing reusable vape devices, properly disposing of e-waste, and supporting environmentally conscious brands. While vaping is often promoted as a less harmful alternative to smoking, its environmental impact is far from negligible. Addressing the environmental challenges associated with vaping requires concerted efforts from manufacturers, regulators, and consumers to reduce waste, improve recycling, and minimize the overall environmental footprint of these products.
Existing Policies in the Philippines on Vaping
The Philippine government has several legislative efforts that attempt to mitigate the effects of vaping and e-cigarette usage within the country. With the passing of Executive Order No. 106 (2020), officials sought to address the “manufacture, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.” Similarly, the Republic Act No. 11346 amended the National Internal Revenue Code, which aimed to increase the tax allotted to tobacco and e-cigarette products within the country. Finally, Senate Bill No. 2239, the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act was established to restrict the promotional and advertising efforts of tobacco companies. While these legislations are a step in the right direction to avoid the expected negative health effects of the e-cigarette industry, there are potential policy gaps that could also lead to further environmental impact. For example, none of these provisions seek to address the potential environmental impacts that this industry could have on the country or highlight any measures regarding how to properly dispose of e-cigarettes. This is especially important in Executive Order No. 106, which handles the packing of e-cigarette containers. With the number of e-cigarette users rising each year, this information concerning the environmental impact of the product must be spread to consumers.
Looking to the future, the Philippine government could learn from the triumphs and failures of other countries. For example, in 2018, the United States FDA released the Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan focusing on three areas, access, marketing, and education. By setting age limits and enforcing age verification, this regulation helped to reduce the number of minors who can purchase vaping products. With this, the FDA sought to educate minors about the risks related to their health, and well-being. The United States government is still collecting data concerning whether these policies will help reduce the prevalence of e-cigarette usage in youth populations. However, if individuals do not have any access to this sort of information in their youth, they are without any sort of knowledge about the implications of their future actions. The EU also set successful litigation when governmental agencies revised the Tobacco Products Directive in 2014, to hinder the marketing of e-cigarettes and tobacco companies in Europe. Restricting advertising helps prevent the glamorization of vaping, particularly among youth.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Policies often address either public health or environmental impact separately, but rarely in an integrated manner. To mitigate the impact of e-cigarettes on both health and the environment, there is a need for more comprehensive data on how these entities intersect. Moreover, increased public awareness and education about the environmental impacts of vaping are also necessary. This awareness can lead to more responsible behavior and reduced environmental impact. This is especially true as e-cigarettes are considered a newer invention, and researchers are still yet to truly know the lifelong impact these devices will have on humans and the environment subsequently. Without long-term data and research, there is still much to be perceived. This research must be utilized to inform productive and impactful policies. While an environmental disaster concerning vape waste is currently preventable, strong policies from the government, long-standing research, and public support are needed to make it happen.
Note: This blog is a collaborative piece between Sidney Burzynski and Therese Mangussad on their chosen environmental issue. They are both undergraduate interns from the 2024 Summer Internship Program of Parabukas. Sidney’s international internship was made possible through the Queen’s Project on International Development (QPID) program of Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada.