Solons told: e-cigarettes need new rules

Local vapers are appealing to legislators to apply a different set of rules for electronic cigarettes amid a growing list of evidence that showed e-cigarettes, or vapes, were a less harmful alternative to tobacco and was a viable tool for those who want to quit smoking.

Vapers Philippines recommended the exclusion of e-cigarettes in the Tobacco Regulation Act (RA 9211) and the adoption of a separate set of regulations for e-cigarettes in terms of advertising and promotions, sale, distribution and use.

“We underscore our position that vaping and smoking should not be lumped together,” said Mark Czerwin Erana, spokesperson of the group.

Joey Dulay, head of the Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association (Pecia), said regulation of e-cigarettes would help millions of Filipino smokers quit and protect them from diseases associated with tobacco.