PDEA-6 warns vs marijuana-flavored vapes

IL OIL O City–The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA) Region 6 cautioned the public on the proliferation of marijuanalaced electronic cigarettes in the market.

Ma. Graziella Tanaleon, spokesperson for PDEA6, said they are calling on smokers to be wary of buying vape products, making sure they buy from authorized stores.

“May cases na sa other places especially sa Manila nga may nadakpan na nga may simbog sang marijuana. So this is a warning to everybody,” Tanaleon said.

The PDEA-6, Tanaleon said, is currently strengthening its monitoring of physical and online vape shops to detect those selling cannabis flavored e- cigarettes and other related paraphernalia.

In Taguig City on March 14, separate antidrug operations carried out by the PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) resulted in the arrest of two drug suspects and the seizure of cannabis oil and dried marijuana or “kush,” and assorted vaping devices, amounting to P842,000.

Earlier on March 7, PDEA and the Bureau of Customs- Port of Manila intercepted 18 balikbayan boxes containing cannabis oil and marijuana kush hidden inside e- cigarettes worth P337 million.

The PD EA central office said the selling and smuggling of marijuana oil cartridges indicate that there is a growing domestic demand for these products.

It added that the spread of marijuana-laced electronic cigarettes might also expose “unknowing customers” to marijuana’s addictive components.

I n J anuary t his year, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa called on the PNP to ensure that teenagers do not have access to vapes.

Republic Act No. 9211, of the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2023, prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products within 100 meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented particularly by minors./