The measure lowers the age of those allowed to purchase and use vape and e-cigarettes from 21 to 18.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Final Word, Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) president Dr. Maricar Blanco-Limpin said this provision is one of their main concerns as it makes the products more accessible to many.
The provision also makes the bill pro-industry and not pro-health, as supporters claim, she added.
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“We have been telling… all the legislators that making these more available at a younger age… is making these e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products more available to all including the non-smokers,” she said.
Another key issue for PCP is the transfer of regulatory powers from the Food and Drug Administration to the Department of Trade and Industry to whom manufacturers should register their products.
The DTI is also in charge of setting technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of these smoking alternatives.
Limpin said vape products could lead to health concerns and the “mandate to protect the health of the country falls under the FDA, not the DTI.”
Meanwhile, prescribing guidelines on raising awareness about the impact of smoking and vaping will be done by the Department of Health.
When asked about compromising, Limpin said: “There is no more compromise. That is basically the main feature of this bill. Therefore, what we really want is to have this bill vetoed entirely.”
If the President signs the measure, she said they would consider all actions – including bringing the issue to the Supreme Court.
CNN Philippines – 2022-01-26.
