During a briefing last Tuesday, March 8, organizations, namely, Parents Against Vape, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca), and HealthJustice Philippines expressed objection to the provisions of the Vape Bill, saying it poses health concerns and easier access to the youth.
Although advertised as a “switching product” that can allegedly help with quitting smoking, Seatca executive director Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo said international research shows that vape use did not decrease smoking rates, but rather, it often leads to dual use of both vape and cigarettes.
“The Vape Bill 2022 is a profit-oriented and industry-sponsored bill masquerading as a public health policy,” said lawyer Benedict Nisperos, consultant of HealthJustice Philippines.
Nisperos said the Vape Bill lowers the age of restriction back to 18 years old and allows the use of vaporized nicotine products in public places and in designated vaping areas for indoor venues. It also allows online trading that can easily give the youth access to said products.
“As parents, we are alarmed at the provisions of the bill. (It) lowers age of access, allows flavors that entice children, makes them available online, (and) allows the use in public places,” said Imelda Esposado-Gocotano, convenor of Parents Against Vape.
Nisperos said the Vape Bill contradicts already existing key policies such as Republic Act 9211 or “Tobacco Control Act,” Republic Act 11346 that mandates graphic health warnings on tobacco products, Republic Act 11467 that raises the age of restriction to 21, and Executive Order 106 that prohibits the use of vape and tobacco in public areas, among other provisions.
“These toxic products should be under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) jurisdiction. While FDA has jurisdiction on vape products with health claims, the vape industry can easily market their products not as health products,” Nispero said.
Meanwhile, the Parents Against Vape has already garnered 5,000 signatures from Davao City and Island Garden City of Samal to petition and appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to veto Senate Bill 2239.
“We have enough laws and policies that strictly regulate these harmful products which you insisted. Thus, we humbly ask you, Mr. President to protect your legacy, maintain these laws and policies, and allow their full implementation,” the group appealed.
