‘Vapes not safe alternative to cigarettes’

MANILA, Philippines — Health advocates have reiterated that vapes are not a safe alernative to smoking cigarettes.

According to Philippine College of Physicians president Maricar Limpin, those who want to quit smoking should not shift to vapes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

“There is no truth that these electronic smoking devices are safe. These are also harmful to people’s health,” Limpin said in a phone interview.

A survey commissioned by Vapers PH showed that nine in 10 Filipino smokers wanted a law that would encourage them to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.

Health Justice Philippines maintained that “vaping is harmful and is not the best option, and would never be, for people who are trying to quit smoking.”

The group opposed Senate Bill 2239, which seeks to regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution and use of vapor products and heated tobacco products.

The proposed measure will encourage people, especially the youth, to try vaping, Health Justice said.

The group added that the bill would also allow the online sale of vapes.