Bicam approves ‘stricter’ vape products regulation bill

ACONGRESSIONAL bicameral conference committee (Bicam) of the House of Representatives and the Senate on Wednesday approved the bill regulating the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as novel tobacco products.

The Bicam approval came after an extensive deliberation by the House contingent led by Deputy Speaker for Trade and Industry Wes Gatchalian and the Senate panel headed by Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Ralph Recto, who ensured that recommendations made by concerned agencies and stakeholders were incorporated in the report on the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 9007 and Senate Bill 2239.

“Our proposed legislation will guarantee to place stricter regulation of [these products] and will prevent these products from being used in illegal activities, including drug smuggling,” Gatchalian said.

“It is our hope that the stronger and stricter measures imposed by the bill will deter unscrupulous individuals from using these products in their nefarious activities. And with stricter protocols in place, we are also optimistic that we will be able to catch and stop these illegal activities more quickly,” Gatchalian said.

Earlier, the deputy speaker said taxes that can be collected from these products could reach P20 billion.

During the hybrid conference meeting, House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez stressed that the measure aims to offer an alternative for Filipinos who want to quit smoking.

For his part, Recto noted that while Congress intends to push for the shift from smoking to vaping, the bill does not back its promotion “as a lifestyle.”

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 Department of Health would be tasked to prescribe guidelines on the implementation of smoking and vaping restriction awareness campaigns. As for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), it would consult with the Food and Drug Administration 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 the measure. This would include the registration of the vape products with the DTI.

The report would now be up for ratification by both the House and the Senate when sessions resume. Other House members present were Deputy Speaker Kristine Singsonmeehan, Reps. Sharon Garin, Estrellita Suansing, Stella Luz Quimbo, and Alfredo Garbin Jr. The Senate panel was also joined by Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.