One last step, getting President Duterte’s signature, is all that’s left for Philippines’ new vape bill to happen.
Philippines’ new bill to regulate vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products as well as novel tobacco products is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval and signature.
Prior to this, medical groups called for Duterte to veto the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act. “This vape bill will actually break the vow you made to Filipino people to fight addiction. What will happen is it will increase addiction to cigarettes and alcohol and illicit drugs,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP). The country’s department of health has also made public its stance against the bill, saying it has provisions that contradict the country’s public health goals and international standards.
The bill lowers the legal age limit for vaping from 21 to 18 years and transfers regulatory authority over vape products from the food and drug administration (FDA) to the department of trade and industry (DTI). However, DTI will need to consult FDA in setting technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of the products. The bill also stipulates the department of health determine the guidelines on the implementation of smoking and vaping restriction awareness campaigns.
“This bill is meant to regulate vaporized nicotine products, non-nicotine products, and novel tobacco products,” said senate president Pro Tempore Ralph Recto. “It is expected to encourage a shift from smoking the unhealthier cigarettes to these alternatives less harmful products. This bill is never intended to adopt a new lifestyle, especially for minors, who are prohibited from having access to these products.”