Medical groups want total ban of e-cigarettes

MANILA, Philippines - Representatives of various medical associations called for a total ban on the manufacture and sale of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, which allegedly deliver unwanted chemicals into the body and could cause cancer and other deadly diseases.

The call was made during a public hearing on the safety of e-cigarettes held yesterday at the Food and Drug Association (FDA) central office in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

“We in the medical profession propose a total ban (on e-cigarettes), there is no middle ground,” said Ramon Severeno, president of the Philippine Pediatric Association, as he narrated the dangers of using e-cigarettes during the three-hour hearing.

He said e-cigarettes, which they refer to as a nicotine delivery device, are now flooding the market and even sold by sidewalk vendors such that the government should take drastic action to protect non-smokers, particularly children.

Also present during the hearing were the pro e-cigarette advocates, including distributor and makers of the controversial device.

Kenneth Go, acting FDA director general, said the inputs of the public would be used as basis of their action on the controversial issue.

A participant at the hearing who declined to be named told The STAR that the hearing was not necessary because e-cigarettes are illegal.

“There is no need to regulate or ban the device, just confiscate it,” the participant said.

But distributors and e-cigarette users want the FDA to provide them with legal status so that they could continue with their business, which is now growing into a multi-billion peso industry.

Gilbert Mendoza, president of the Philippine E-cigarette Makers Association, said e-cigarette is an alternative to tobacco smoking and its vapors provide pleasure.

He also assured the public that the device is not being sold to minors and they are open to government regulation of the industry.

Mendoza said they would present expert findings that will prove that it’s safe to use e-cigarettes.

Almost a hundred e-cigarette users, some even displaying their devices, have narrated their own stories to prove that e-cigarette could suppress tobacco smoking and could provide pleasure to the user.

Mendoza also said that the e-cigarette industry is booming and also becoming popular in other countries.

Imelda Mateo, a lung disease expert, said the health of the people, particularly children, must not be compromised because of the boom in the e-cigarette business.

“No amount of financial gains could compensate for the health of our children,” she said.

Anthony Lechon, director of the UP Manila information and public affairs office, said e-cigarettes have not yet been proven to be safe and, in fact, have been banned in many countries.

He said the vapors emitted by the device go directly to the lungs and other vital organs.

The FDA announced that all views received, either written or verbal, during the hearing would be considered in formulating the proposed regulations on e-cigarettes.