Dominican Republic launches national response to rising youth vape use

The Dominican Republic’s National Drug Council appointed Clairet Cruz Jiménez as coordinator of a new program targeting addiction and rehabilitation for vape and hookah users. The move follows the impact of an investigative report by journalist María Jiménez titled “Más allá del humo: cómo los vapes y la hookah impulsan una nueva crisis de salud pública en República Dominicana,” which highlighted a surge in vaping among teenagers and associated health risks.

Communicator Norisbel Uceta, a member of the Politikal program, called for an immediate nationwide education campaign after noting that three deaths had already been linked to vaping in 2026. She urged the Ministry of Public Health to prioritize youth protection, stressing the chemical dangers of e‑cigarettes and the need for comprehensive awareness initiatives in schools and government offices.