BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Social dynamics, peer influence and accessibility of vaping products are among the reasons why vaping is now rampant among high school students despite the anti-vaping law.
This is based on a qualitative case study conducted by Wilbert Wanas, a teacher at the Guinaoang National High School in Mankayan, Benguet.
His research titled “ASOK CHRONICLES: Understanding the Phenomenon of Vaping Among High School Students – A Basis for an Intervention Program,” studied the reasons behind the prevalence of vaping among students.
Wanas shared that through in-depth interviews and focused group discussions with students in their school, he was able to uncover the social, emotional, psychological, and contextual drivers behind their decision to use vape.
Accessibility, Acceptance, Autonomy
Among his findings is social dynamics and peer influence. Most of the students said they use vapes because they like to be “in”.
“Nakikita natin na the peer influence is really powerful, not only in our school but in other schools as well because vaping is not just normalized, it is glamorized. Ang pagkakaalam nila is mas drastic ‘yung effect ng tobacco rather than the vape, which other research says otherwise,” Wanas said.
Wanas added that another reason why students cannot stop using vape is that vaping products have become accessible. Vapes can be bought online or even in sari-sari stores.
“Vaping is no longer [just] an addiction to nicotine, vaping is also an addiction to acceptance.”
Another finding is the defiance of authority and the desire for autonomy. Wanas said vaping has become a quiet protest of students against restrictions that they do not understand.
“Hindi nila maintindihan kung bakit ini-impose sa kanila ‘yung restrictions about vaping. At dahil mahirap nilang ma-grasp kung bakit ipinagbabawal, the more na ginagawa nila to show that they are autonomous, to show that they are in control,” Wanas stated.
The study also showed that vaping is an emotional escape and stress relief for students.
Education, Promotion, and Conversations
The campaign against vaping is not included in the curriculum, but teachers must find ways to educate their students about the ill effects of vaping, according to Wanas.
“Meron na tayong mga medical researches and clinical researches na nagpapatunay na meron talagang health effects ang vape. Let’s amplify the voice na bawal dapat ang vaping,” he emphasized.
Wanas said that there is also a need to shift from the traditional teaching because students now are more on visuals. They understand more if they see the evidence instead of purely theoretical discussions.
He shared that with the results of his research, he had been engaging with the barangay officials to check on vaping accessibility and use in their area. He also wrote some local government units to craft resolutions on the restriction of vape.
Aside from the continuous information and education campaigns for parents and other sectors, he also asked the students to identify programs on anti-vaping.
“This [study] is a mirror, a mirror that reflects back the fears, the needs, the silent battles of our young people. They don’t vape to rebel, because they vape to cope, they vape to belong, they vape to survive something that they can even name it. So, if you truly care for our young people, not just the students, but as sons, as daughters, future citizens, we must shift our approach,” Wanas explained.
He also called on all local government units, the parents, teachers associations, and civil society organizations to safeguard the children and the youth.
“Less punishments, more listening, less lectures and more conversations. More importantly, let’s work together, the school, the home and community, not just to stop vaping or cigarettes but to build a world where our youth don’t need to escape into a cloud of smoke just to feel okay,” Wanas said.
Wanas presented his research during the 2025 International Educators Conference and Global Educators Awards held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last May 2025, which earned him the Outstanding Global Researcher Award and Best Presenter. **DEG-PIA CAR
