Vapers push for rights

VAPERS in Baguio City are seeking for their rights.

Joey Dulay, president of the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association with Francis Aurellado faced the Council on Monday with the City Health Office representatives including non government organization Health Justice.

Dulay and Aurellado both advocated to treat those who vape separately with smokers and likewise asked to have another ordinance made for the sector.

The Baguio City Council approved the amended Anti-Smoking Ordinance dubbed the “Smoke Free Baguio,” which includes Vaping or Elec

Nicotine Delivery System [ENDS] is included.

Lawyer Bernadette Esguerra Huggins, consultant for Health Justice said there are 68 countries all over the world which regulate ENDS because of the presence of nicotine in the product.

"We do not tolerate any form of addiction, this is a potentially toxic product and not regulating it like cigarettes is a gateway to addiction."

Both vape advocates said benefits of vape outweigh smoking and explained how the habit of vaping has helped smokers quit the habit.

In the ordinance, selling or distributing tobacco products or posting, displaying through posters, leaflets in point-of-sale establishments where prohibited, or where minors frequent, are not allowed including vape.

The new law prohibits devices whether or not used to deliver nicotine through vaping, or resembles the act or outward appearance of smoking. Displaying and promoting tobacco or Ends, except in enclosed, opaque and single-colored storages is not allowed, as stated in the amended ordinance.

Previously, Vape shops lobbyied for exemptions from the nationwide smoking ban.

Petitioners have asked the city through the local council to be exempted from the new law with these concessions; to exempt or exclude selling ENDS or vape 100 meters away from any point in the perimeter of schools, public playground or other facility frequented by minors, offices of the DOH and attached agencies, hospitals and health facilities.”

Another previous request by close to 50 petitioners is to be allowed to have vape testing or vaping within store premises upon compliance with standard ventilation devices.

Vapers, claim vaping is the most effective alternative to gradual withdrawal from smoking especially those who avoiding abrupt withdrawal symptoms.

Vape is the millennial alternative to tobacco smoke may be the “in” thing today but its medical

Vapersoul.com reveals, vaping is defined as the act of inhaling water vapor through a personal vaporizer which is a tobacco-free version of the traditional cigarette.

Vaping entails the use of a vaporizer, applying heat to a liquid which generates vapour, the user, called a vaper (smoker in traditional cigarette circles) gets their nicotine hit through inhaling the almost odorless vapor.

The device for vaping has yet to be certified safe as well as the juice used to vaporize by the Food and Drug Authority before warnings and certifications vouching for its health safety can be made.

City Epidemiologist Donnabelle Tuvera said recent news reports showed vape paraphernalia to be used to carry cannabis and marijuana oil as intercepted by police at the airport in manila said to be intended for the city

Tuvera dispelled the notion vaping has brought down the incidence of smoking pointing out to a doubling of female smokers in the city.

Tuvera likewise cited World Health Organization studies linking vape to cancer and toxins.