Philippines Passes Vape Bill

It is a good public policy for smokers to switch to vaping. The Philippine Senate passed the third and final readings of the Senate Bill (SB) 2239 on Vaporized Nicotine Products by a 19-2-2 vote on Thursday. It aims to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and consumption of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP).

The initiator of the bill and the president pro tempore of the Senate, Ralph Rector, said that It is a good public policy for smokers to switch to these types of evaporated nicotine products.

“The number of deaths and the cost of treating patients in society will decrease. This is the direction that many countries and more developed economies are moving in.”

Senator Juan Edgado Sonnyangara explained his vote on SB 2239 and said that I voted for this measure, hoping to reduce the addiction known as smoking by switching to vaporization or e-cigarette products… …For many private colleagues, this is anecdotal evidence of this effect.

“I and our minority leaders hope that we can eradicate smoking addiction, and hope that smokers and non-smokers have a better future. This is why I voted for this bill.” Angara said.

However, Senator Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, who also voted for the measure, said that his affirmative vote had strong reservations. “My position has not changed. I still do not support flavored e-cigarettes.”

According to SB 2239, vaporized nicotine products (VNP) or e-cigarettes may not be sold to minors.

The approved measures also stipulate that retailers or distributors in physical or online stores must be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to the Act, for sellers, DTI is authorized to establish product standards, which should be met within a limited time.

The measure also prohibits the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes within 100 meters of any point around schools, playgrounds or other facilities frequented by minors.

The Act also stipulates that organizations that provide, sell, or distribute VNP must carry a point of sale sign, indicating that it is illegal to sell to or by persons under 18 years of age.

In addition, the measure prohibits celebrities or social media influencers from appearing in such advertisements and other forms of consumer communication.

The bill stated that these advertisements should not contain hints or endorsements expressed by celebrities or social media influencers.