Cayetano urges Duterte: Veto vape bill

MANILA, Philippines — ­­Former House speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has asked President Duterte to veto the proposed vape bill, saying it would lead to serious health problems.

“We all know that nicotine is an addictive substance. And yet with this bill, we are allowing vaping devices to deliver higher amounts of nicotine than cigarettes and other tobacco products can provide,” Cayetano said.

He made the appeal to Duterte after the Senate and House of Representative ratified the bicameral conference committee report seeking the regulation of vaporized nicotine.

Congress reconciled the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 2239 and House Bill 9007, or the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

The measure will soon be on Duterte’s desk for his signature.

“This will make it harder for the country’s estimated 17 million smokers to quit and may encourage dependence on nicotine among our countrymen,” Cayetano said.