In a statement, the PDEA disclosed that operatives discovered that vape devices laced with marijuana among items seized from two suspected illegal drug traders during raids conducted last week in Taguig City.

At lest P842,000 worth of illegal drugs and items were confiscated. Among these were cannabis oil, marijuana kush and vape devices.

“PDEA warns the public not to patronize marijuana laced e-cigarettes because of the health hazard involved, and most importantly the law explicitly prohibits it,” the PDEA statement said.

Earlier, operatives of PDEA and the Bureau of Customs intercepted at the Port Area in Manila a total 18 balikbayan boxes that were found to contain cannabis oil and marijuana kush stashed in e-cigarettes.

The two agencies placed the estimated cost of the haul at P337 million.

“Considering that the vaping culture is predominantly popular among the youth, PDEA is wary that these cannabis extracts can pass off as a legitimate vape aerosol in the market and sold to the younger patrons,” PDEA said.

In 2019, a survey disclosed that 14 percent or one in every seven Filipino youth aged 13 to 15 were found to be using e-cigarettes.

The influence of vaping among young Filipinos has been traced to the passage of the heavily-lobbied Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act that allowed individuals as young as 18 years old to purchase vaping products.