Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has called on President Duterte to veto the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act, also known as the Vape Bill, saying it represents a “clear and present danger” to the public.
This after the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, ratified the report of the Bicameral conference committee which had reconciled the disagreeing versions of Senate Bill 2239 and House Bill 9007.
The measure will be transmitted to the President for his signature.
In a news statement, Cayetano said the “dangerous piece of legislation” would promote addiction and lead to serious health problems and even death.
Cayetano condemned a provision in the bill that seeks to transfer the regulation of vaporized nicotine products from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Cayetano also warned that if the regulatory functions were moved to the DTI, the Philippines would become a laughing stock as other nations strengthen their regulations through their respective food and drugs administrations.
“This practically turns the issue of nicotine abuse from a public health concern to a money-making endeavor for the government. Simply put, the DTI does not have the same expertise and experience to regulate these products as the FDA,” he said.
The Bicam version had also retained the lowering of the minimum age requirement for vape users from 21 to 18 years old, but Cayetano said this means even senior high-school students will now be able to easily buy vape products.
He said there is strong scientific evidence against vaping, explaining that vape devices can transmit higher concentrations of nicotine compared with cigarettes.
Cayetano also backed former health officials as well as more than 50 medical societies, including the Philippine College of Physicians and the Philippine Medical Association, who have called on President Duterte to veto the controversial bill.
“This will undoubtedly make it harder for the country’s estimated 17 million smokers to quit and may in fact encourage a deeper dependence on nicotine among our kababayans,” he added.
The bill said posts, messages, or images by manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers that encourage the purchase and use of vape products would be prohibited.
Additionally, the DOH would be tasked to prescribe guidelines on the implementation of smoking and vaping restriction awareness campaigns. As for the DTI, it would consult with the FDA in setting technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of the vape products.
Also, manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sellers would then be given an 18-month transitory period from the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations to comply with the requirements of this measure. This would include the registration of the vape products with the DTI.