Outright ban of e-cigarettes pushed

MANILA,Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is pushing for an outright ban on electronic cigarettes, saying users of the product are exposed to health risks. 

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the rising use of electronic cigarettes is alarming, noting that even elementary students have tried vaping.

“If the DOH would have its way, we would go for an outright ban,” Domingo told journalists on Wednesday at Malacañang.

“Even if the packaging and promotion is enticing to the youth, it is not for young people. These products are not good alternatives to normal or regular cigarettes,” Domingo said. 

He said there have been 1,604 recorded cases of EVALI or e-cigarette or vaping product associated lung injury in the US.

Of the figure, 34 resulted in death.

Domingo said about one percent of Filipinos are now into vaping.

“Let’s not wait for an epidemic like this to happen in the Philippines,” he said, adding the DOH will support proposals seeking to ban electronic cigarettes and vapes.

“There are several countries that have decided to ban e-cigarettes. There are two tracks, to ban it or to regulate it. Here, many are using and many are selling it, it’s there. So regulation would be the softer way, but for health outcomes, an outright ban would be the best,” he said.

Group backs regulation

Meanwhile, a group of vape users and manufacturers has expressed full support for policy seeking to regulate e-cigarettes.

The group insisted on the safety of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” aired on Cignal TV’s One News, United Vapers Alliance president Fernando Rodrigo said their members would support any effort or measure regulating e-cigarettes.

“We fully support the regulation because we want safe products to be made available to vape users,” Rodrigo said.

He said there is no reason for them to oppose the regulation as they are not selling anything illegal.

The group is currently working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the issuance of the necessary regulations for e-cigarettes.

Rodrigo said the alliance was created purposely so small businesses engaged in selling and manufacturing e-cigarettes can be represented at public hearings and in drafting of regulations.

He said the vapers’ alliance favors regulations prohibiting access of e-cigarettes to minors or those below 18 years old.

Rodrigo said their target market are smokers who intend to quit smoking.

But the regulation on e-cigarettes should be different from tobacco because it’s a totally different product, he said.

Citing studies conducted in the United Kingdom, Rodrigo said the e-cigarette is 95 percent safer than tobacco and it helps wean smokers from the habit.

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon said the position of the vapers’ alliance favoring regulation is only meant to “soften the blow” to the industry.

Biazon expressed belief the group wants the industry to be covered only by DTI rules and not by FDA.

He filed a measure seeking to regulate the use, sale and distribution of ENDS products that are being promoted as alternative to harmful tobacco products.

The bill seeks to ban the sale and use of ENDS products to minors.

Biazon said a new law is necessary for the creation of clearer guidelines and to institutionalize regulations on the use and marketing of e-cigarettes.

He said the FDA has started regulating e-cigarettes, but a court has stopped it from implementing its policy. – With Mayen Jaymalin