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.
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.
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.
Aware of the health risks of cigarette smoking, the tobacco industry has designed over the years “less harmful” alternatives for smokers: low and tar nicotine devices, filtered cigarettes, smokeless tobacco.
The truth is, the bicameral report provides less strict policies and a step back on existing regulations.
They debunked reported claims of four physicians that the measure could become part of Duterte’s “lasting legacy” if enacted and that it would give 16 million Filipino smokers a “less harmful” option to quit smoking.
Mga vape products nga gipamaligya sa merkado malimbungon tungod sa ilang porma, matod ni Dr. Rizalina Gonzalez, usa ka pediatrician ug chair sa Philippine Pediatric Society Tobacco Control Advocacy Group (PPS-TCAG), sa usa ka interbyu sa VERA Files.
Ti DOH, FDA, sumagmamano nga professional organizations ken health experts, youth groups ken tobacco control advocates ket agtalek da nga ni Presidente Duterte ket saan na nga baliwan ti anti-smoking ken anti-vaping position na ket i-veto na ti proposed nga linteg nga kontra iti policy nga insaad na idi 2019.
