DOH: Vaping not a good alternative to cigarettes

The Department of Health on Wednesday reiterated its call for the regulation of e-cigarettes, saying these are not a “healthy alternative” to tobacco.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo made the statement as the government is pushing for a law imposing higher excise taxes on tobacco products.

“Some people are trying to package it as a healthy alternative to tobacco or as lower risk product compared to tobacco. Pero iyong mga vape are nicotine containing and they are addicting,” Domingo said at a news conference in Malacañang.

“We do not advocate the use of vaping and we want to strictly regulate it,” he added.
Vape regulation would need legislation and bills on the matter remain pending in Congress.

Domingo proposed that vape devices be registered and checked for safety.

“Kailangang ma-regulate siya for content at saka for safety at kung meron silang claim na ito ay gagamitin as a quitting aid, smoking cessation aid at kung meron silang claim of less harm that we want to regulate it as strictly as any medicine or any drug product,” he said.

Due to lack of regulatory framework governing e-cigarettes, Domingo said they could not determine the number of vape stores in the country. 

World Health Organization country representative Dr. Gundo Weiler earlier said the organization supports the regulation of vaping.

Weiler said that Singapore and Finland have banned vaping while the United Kingdom and Canada are regulating it for those who want to quit smoking. — BM, GMA News