Health experts and youth groups are sounding the alarm over an upsurge in children's use of vapes and are calling on the government to enforce strict regulations on the sale of the harmful products, especially online.

Former senior health and education officials issue an urgent appeal to the Philippine delegation to a conference on tobacco control to fight against vapes for the sake of the youth.

Now sold online and in shops and stalls in shopping malls, in 24-hour convenience stores, on sidewalks and even in sari-sari stores, the so-called novel tobacco products are prominently displayed, and use brands and packaging attractive to the youth.