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.
A total of 183 governments are scheduled to meet in Panama City, Panama from 5-10 February 2024 for the tenth session of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). The WHO FCTC protects the fundamental right of all people to enjoy the highest standard of health. The Philippines is a Party to this treaty, and at the COP10, fierce debates are expected around electronic smoking devices (ESDs); harmful tobacco products that the tobacco industry is aggressively marketing to 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.
Local government units are regulating the sale and use of e-cigarettes and other novel tobacco products, but some have liberal rules that allow persons as young as 18 years old to buy the products.
The proposed Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Production Regulation Act removes the two-flavor limit and allows online selling and advertising of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs), prompting health advocates to say that these provisions would entice younger people to try these and get them hooked on what can become a lifetime addiction.
Disregarding the government’s tobacco control program, Congress has ratified a bill that allows younger people to buy and use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
The Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) joined medical practitioners and youth leaders on Wednesday in asking Congress to reject the bill that seeks to lower the age of persons who can buy, use or sell vapes and electronic cigarettes.
Ti panangibaba iti edad dagiti tattao nga mabalin nga gumatang, aglako, wenno agusar iti vapes ken electronic cigarettes iti edad 18, ket mangited kadakuada iti gundaway tapno makaalada kadagiti produkto nga mabalin nga adda dakes nga epekto na iti salun-at ken mabalin nga agbunga iti panagabuso, kuna dagiti eksperto iti medisina ken salun-at.
Ang pagbaba ng minimum age ng mga taong maaaring bumili, magbenta, o gumamit ng vapes at electronic cigarettes sa 18 taong gulang ay nangangahulugan nang pagbibigay sa mas bata ng access sa mga produkto na may masamang epekto sa kalusugan na maaaring humantong sa substance abuse, sinabi ng mga medical at health expert.