“Stricter enforcement of existing policies prohibiting sales and advertising of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools and implementation of a national comprehensive policy on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship can protect the well-being of Filipino youth and reduce the rate of tobacco-caused death and disease in the Philippines,” said investigator of IGTC and scientist, Jennifer Brown.
Similarly last year, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chair of the House ways and means panel, highlighted a “lax compliance” with regards to the Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.
The Philippines Vape Bill (Republic Act No. 11900), is a reconciled version of Senate Bill 2239 or the ‘Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act’ which aims to regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and consumption of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) and House Bill 9007 or the ‘Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act.’
Vape regulations had been long sought after
A survey conducted prior to the passing of the bill had indicated that nine out of ten, or 90% of local smokers were in support of a public health strategy that endorses the use of safer nicotine alternatives such as vapes for smoking cessation.
Conducted by ACORN Marketing & Research Consultants and commissioned by consumer advocacy group Vapers PH, the survey had indicated that about 70% of 2,000 respondents believed that e-cigarettes and HTPs are better alternatives to cigarettes, and 88% of adult smokers said they would consider switching to smoke-free alternative products. Moreover, 94% believed that the local government should set in place policies encouraging smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes, whilst implementing strict measures ensuring that the products are not accessible to minors.
Regulating the products had also long been advocated for by public health and tobacco harm reduction experts. President of consumer group Vapers PH and CAPHRA member, Peter Dator said that the products having the products regulated means that minors are protected, black markets are eradicated, safety standards are maintained, and adult accessibility to the products for smoking cessation is ensured.
However, Rep. Salceda had highlighted that this is not the case as untaxed and imported vaping products that are being passed off as “toys” and “electronics” on online selling platforms. The economist-turned-lawmaker said that his staff scoured online platforms to check whether they would be able to purchase items online while bypassing all the restrictions which should be in place. He revealed that sadly his colleagues were able to do so easily.
The Philippines has one of the highest smoking rates worldwide
In 2015 it was calculated that the Philippines had more than 15.9 million smokers, 16.5 million tobacco users and approximately 110,000 deaths each year from related diseases. The country is also believed to be the second largest consumer of tobacco in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Indonesia being the first.
Assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Hannah Nario-Lopez, said that banning smoking in public spaces and workplaces is not enough to reduce smoking rates. “We should treat smoking not just as an isolated social behaviour or problem because it can be more than an addiction,” she said, while explaining that smokers often attribute “meaning” to cigarettes that can “make it hard for them to quit”.
Philippines ‘Vape Bill’ Commended at The Asia Harm Reduction Forum
Read Further: Inquirer.Net
