DOH wants outright ban of e-cigarettes

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said it is in favor of banning electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), stressing that it has no proven positive effect on its users’ health.

“If the DOH would have its way, we would go for an outright ban,” DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo said in a Palace briefing.

Domingo also bared that a senator, whom he refused to identify, is already crafting a bill aimed at banning vapes or e-cigarettes.

“I think there is possible legislation that will be proposed sa Senate and maybe in the House and we will support it,” he said.

The Health official also noted that the Philippines should follow the lead of some countries that already banned e-cigarettes.

“There are several countries that have decided to ban e-cigarettes. Two tracks are available in dealing with it, one is regulation and the other is prohibition,” Domingo said.

“Here in the Philippines there’s a lot of business engaged in vaping, and there also a lot of users. So, regulation would be the softer way but health outcomes wise, an outright ban will be best track,” he added, speaking partly in Filipino.

Currently, there are over one million Filipinos, mostly youth, using e-cigarettes, Domingo said. /je