Health groups call for reversal or revision of vape law

Several health groups on Thursday called on lawmakers to reverse or amend with stricter measures the vape law, citing some negative effects of the new legislation.

At the Pandesal Forum, representatives from Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Philippine Pediatric Society, Parents Against Vape, and Health Justice Philippines expressed disapproval of the new law.

Health Justice Philippines legal consultant Ben Nisperos said their groups believe that vapes or e-cigarettes are bad for health and a threat against the youth.

“Ang gusto natin dapat na matutukan yung pag-implement nito at kung maari ma-reverse at maamyendahan pa ito. May mga [panukalang] batas na gustong i-amend ito,” he said.

(We want to watch out for the implementation of the vape law, if possible, we want it  to be reversed and amended. There are already proposed laws to amend it.)

Parents Against Vape convener Imelda Gocotano said they want to have a smoke-free and nicotine addiction-free environment for their children.

“The law must be reversed to protect the Filipino youth from the harms of these toxic products,” she said.

They also lamented that the vape law lowers the age of access to vape and e-cigarette products from 21 years old to 18 years old.

Philippine Pediatric Society's anti-smoking task force head Corry Avanceña said the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) should be the agency regulating vape products, not the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“Anything that affects the health dapat FDA...Ang nakakatawa doon parang sa buong mundo, tama ba, ngayon lang under DTI ang vape,” she said.

(What’s funny is that around the world, am I right, it is the only time that vape is under DTI.)

Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) president Imelda Muriel-Mateo said health professionals will share the burden when smokers develop illness due to the use of vape.

“Kami po (We) together with the Department of Health, kasama ang (together with) Philippine Medical Association, lahat po din ng asosasyong medikal (all medical associations)…we abhor and we are saddened by the lapsing into law of the vape bill,” she said.

Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) expressed sadness that the controversial vape bill is now a law as it vowed to continue warning Filipinos about the ill effects of vape and tobacco products. —LBG, GMA News