ZAMBOANGA CITY — A student allegedly lost consciousness after reportedly using a vape device containing a substance locally known as “saba-saba” or “sabah-sabah” at around noon on Thursday, August 6, raising fresh concerns over the growing circulation of dangerous and unregulated vape mixtures among young people in Mindanao.
Initial reports indicate that the student suddenly collapsed shortly after inhaling the substance. Authorities have yet to release the identity, age, condition, or school of the student, while the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under verification.
The incident has prompted renewed warnings from health authorities and anti-drug officials regarding the use of so-called “saba-saba juice,” sometimes referred to as a “zombie drug” when mixed into vape devices.
Health Authorities Warn of Toxic and Potentially Fatal Effects
The Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) Poison Control Center emphasized that “saba-saba juice,” “zombie drug,” and similar substances used in vape products may contain cannabinoids, high concentrations of nicotine, synthetic chemicals, and other unidentified toxic compounds capable of causing severe poisoning and life-threatening medical emergencies.
According to the Poison Control Center, exposure to these substances can trigger a range of dangerous symptoms, including:
- Sudden loss of consciousness
- Severe poisoning
- Respiratory distress
- Seizures
- Cardiac complications, including cardiac arrest
- Potential death in severe cases
Medical experts stressed that because these vape additives are unregulated and produced illegally, users have no way of knowing the actual ingredients or the concentration of harmful chemicals they are inhaling.
Health officials strongly advised the public to completely avoid using unregulated vape liquids and to use only sealed, commercially manufactured products that comply with government regulations.
PDEA: “Saba-Saba” Among Emerging Illegal Vape Substances
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 9 also renewed its warning against vape products mixed with suspected illegal substances.
City Officer Marvin Santos of PDEA Regional Office 9 said that “saba-saba oil” is among the emerging substances being used as vape juice by some individuals, particularly young users.
According to Santos, excessive use of vape products containing suspected illegal substances can have devastating effects on a person’s health and may even result in death.
Authorities noted that the exact composition of “saba-saba” remains uncertain because it is manufactured and distributed illegally, making every use extremely unpredictable and dangerous.
Law enforcement agencies have also expressed concern that these substances may contain synthetic cannabinoids or other prohibited chemicals capable of producing severe psychological and physical reactions.
Growing Concern in Mindanao
The reported incident highlights what authorities describe as a growing public health concern in several parts of Mindanao, where reports involving “saba-saba” vape mixtures have increasingly surfaced.
Unlike regulated vape liquids, “saba-saba” is believed to be an illegally prepared mixture that may contain a combination of nicotine, synthetic cannabinoids, dangerous chemicals, and other unknown substances.
Because there is no quality control or regulation over its production, every batch may contain different ingredients and varying levels of toxicity.
Medical authorities warn that even a single inhalation may lead to poisoning or other serious medical complications depending on the composition of the mixture.
Strictly Prohibited for Minors
The ZCMC Poison Control Center also reminded parents, schools, and communities that the use of vape products by minors remains illegal under Republic Act No. 11900, also known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.
Under the law, the sale, distribution, and use of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products are prohibited for individuals below 18 years of age.
Health officials called on schools and families to strengthen education and monitoring efforts to prevent young people from experimenting with dangerous and unregulated vape substances.
Call for Community Vigilance
Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately seek medical attention if someone experiences unusual symptoms after vaping, particularly after using products from unknown or unverified sources.
The ZCMC Poison Control Center stressed that preventing further incidents requires collective action from parents, educators, local governments, law enforcement agencies, and communities.
Officials continue to remind the public that while vaping itself is regulated under Philippine law, the addition of illegal and unregulated substances such as the suspected “saba-saba” mixture significantly increases the risk of poisoning, permanent injury, and death.
As of this writing, authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the student’s condition or whether an investigation has been launched to determine the source of the suspected “saba-saba” vape used in the incident.