House urges DOH to promote tobacco alternatives

The House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Department of Health (DOH) to promote harm reduction measures, like the use of electronic cigarettes, as part of its national tobacco control strategy.

Coauthored by Coop-NATCCO party-list Rep. Anthony Bravo and North Cotabato Rep. Jose Tejada, House Resolution No. 1885 cited the World Health Organization’s observation that smoking appeared to be gradually decreasing in the United Kingdom, where e-cigarettes were popular.

It cited studies of Public Health England and Cancer Research UK, which showed that smoking had declined since e-cigarettes were introduced in the United Kingdom.

Message

“The House of Representatives is sending a strong message to the DOH to abandon its misguided belief that ‘quit or die’ are smokers’ only choices,” said Joey Dulay, head of the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (Pecia).

“We thank our legislators for keeping an open mind to the evidence supporting e-cigarettes as a significantly less harmful alternative,” said Peter Paul Dator, president of The Vapers Philippines.