QC bans sale of e-cigarettes to minors

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City council has approved a resolution banning the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors in the city.

The city council amended a 1998 ordinance, authored by fifth district Councilor Aly Medalla, including e-cigarettes and other tobacco products prohibited for sale to minors.

The amendment has yet to be signed by Mayor Herbert Bautista. Once signed into law, violators will pay a higher fine of P5,000 from the previous P700 and one month imprisonment.

The city council cited studies showing the dangers posed by e-cigarettes to users and non-users who inhale chemical vapors emanating from the devices.

“The US Food and Drug Administration and many leading health organizations agree on the need for further scientific study to assess unproven safety claims about e-cigarettes and to determine the overall public health impact of its use,” read the measure.