Sixty civil society organizations under the Sin Tax Coalition sent a petition to President Rodrigo Duterte asking him to veto the bills legalizing the sale of electronic vaporizers or vapes and heated tobacco products.
Senate Bill 2239 and House Bill 9007 mandate the lowering of the age limit of access to e-cigarettes and vapes from 21 to 18 years old, the transfer of its regulatory jurisdiction from the Food and Drug Administration to the Department of Trade and Industry, and the manufacturing of multiple flavorings for vape products.
The coalition called the two legislations “anti-youth and anti-health.”
Among the groups who signed the petition were the Action for Economic Reforms, Action on Smoking and Health Philippines, Barangay Health Worker groups, Philippine Health Council, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, South East Asia Tobacco Alliance, and Social Watch Philippines.
“Passing this bill is an utter disservice to the health, welfare and well-being of your constituents. It is anti-youth, anti-health and pro-addiction,” the groups said in a statement.
Red Mendoza – The Manila Times – 2022-01-16.
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