Archive - Smoking

The youth, which is the target of the tobacco industry's so-called novel products, is also being tapped by health advocates to be their partners in the anti-tobacco campaign.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) allegedly accepted three mobile clinics from Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation. DSWD has had a clear policy since 2010 of not accepting donations from the tobacco industry.

Anti-tobacco advocates are calling for a review of the vape law after the Supreme Court ruled that such products should be under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration.

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.

Ilocanos are stereotyped as being kuripot (stingy with money). President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., an Ilocano, showed this side of him when he vetoed four bills approved by the previous Congress.

President Marcos Jr. did not heed the call of former health secretaries, heads of health agencies, and several medical groups to veto the contested vape bill.

In declaring tobacco as a health product, the Supreme Court (SC) has made “far-reaching” strides in interpreting tobacco laws and regulation, according to a former health undersecretary.

If Marcos enacts the vape bill or allows it to become law by July 24, the "absurd situation" cited in the Supreme Court decision will happen.

If President Rodrigo Duterte approves the vape bill before he leaves Malacanang on June 30, the Department of Health (DOH) says it will “result in an absurd situation” wherein similar products that cause harm and danger are regulated differently.

RA 11467 took full effect on May 25, after an 18-month transition period for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sellers of vapor products to comply with its implementing rules and regulations.