Lawmaker seeks regulation of e-cigarettes

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon proposed a measure regulating electronic cigarettes and vaping products in the

Philippine market, saying they are hazardous to health and unsafe.

Biazon filed House Bill No. 40 seeking to regulate the use, sale and distribution of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products that are being promoted as alternative to harmful tobacco products.

The proposed measure also seeks to ban the sale and use of ENDS products to minors in the country with mandatory signages in merchants for this purpose.

It imposes a penalty of P5,000 or imprisonment of less than 30 days for violators on first offense and penalty of P10,000 or the same prison term plus revocation of business license for succeeding offenses.

The bill also mandates the Food and Drug Administration to regulate e-liquids and e-juices used in the said products.

HB 40 has been referred by the House plenary to the committee on trade and industry, which is expected to tackle the measure upon resumption of session next month.

“While the use of ENDS such as electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and the like seem relatively harmless and better compared to smoking the real thing, there is still no conclusive nor validated study to back up these claims. On the contrary, several research on ENDS show that these devices are not totally risk-free and may in fact provide more damage to one’s health in the long run due to the presence of the chemicals and other harmful substances in the juices that are being utilized in the vaping,” Biazon stressed.

The lawmaker said studies have likewise belied claims of manufacturers that juices of e-cigarettes have no nicotine.

“Nicotine is still being induced by the user through these devices, thus making their use highly addictive as well. While there may be vapors or scented aroma instead of smoke or foul odor to speak of, the telltale effects of vaping and use of e-cigarettes are nonetheless the same as cigarette smoking,” Biazon claimed.

“These devices are not relatively safe as advertised,” he pointed out.

He further argued that ecigarettes are prone to malfunctions and glitches, citing cases where ENDS devices exploded and caused injuries to users.

The Lower House passed last August House Bill 1026 that increases the excise tax on vaping products.

Under the measure, specific tax on vapor products with nicotine salts will increase to P30 in 2020 from the current P10 per milliliter, with an incremental P5 yearly increase to P45 by 2023.

The bill, which is among the priority legislative measures certified by President Duterte, aims to generate revenue for the government to fund the universal health care program of the government and to also reduce consumption of such products.

Once enacted, this measure is expected to generate P33.6 billion in additional revenues for the government in 2020, P42.1 billion in 2021 and P50.3 billion in 2022.