The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and medical experts have renewed their push for an absolute ban on electronic cigarettes, citing severe health risks and rising youth usage. This campaign follows the country's first recorded death linked to e-cigarette or vape-associated lung injury (EVALI).
While vaping remains legal under current regulations, the DOH is urging the public to avoid both vapes and traditional cigarettes. Health officials note that eight Southeast Asian neighbors have already prohibited the import, sale, and use of these devices to protect public health.
| Region/Country | Vaping Policy Status |
|---|---|
| Philippines | Regulated under RA 11900; total ban currently proposed by DOH |
| Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, Brunei, Myanmar | Total ban (import, sale, and use are strictly prohibited) |
The proposal has divided the Philippine Congress. During recent Senate hearings, lawmakers split into two primary camps:
- Pro-Ban Faction: Led by Senator Pia Cayetano and backed by former health secretaries, this group advocates for a transition to a complete ban to protect children from nicotine addiction.
- Enforcement Faction: Led by Senate Committee on Health Chairperson Risa Hontiveros, this group focuses on addressing immediate regulatory failures under the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (RA 11900).
Critics of the current law argue that online age-gating is weak and social media sales remain unchecked. To address these gaps, some lawmakers propose stripping regulatory authority from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and returning it to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alongside banning youth-appealing flavors.
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