Vaping ban to worsen smoking problem — groups

MANILA, Philippines — “It is as if the President is encouraging vapers to go back to smoking which is ironic.”

Clarisse Virgino, Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) representative, said this after President Rodrigo Duterte banned the use and importation of vape or e-cigarettes. 

CAPHRA Philippines claimed that vape has been helping millions of smokers quit, saying that banning vape will worsen the smoking problem.

In the same statement, the Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) advised the government to regulate e-cigarettes, saying the device is a better alternative to regular cigarettes,

“Although not risk-free, e-cigarettes are still much better alternatives to cigarettes. The planned executive order of the President should regulate the manufacture, sale, and use of e-cigarettes,” the group said.

PECIA also stressed that adult smokers who opt for less harmful products should only use e-cigarettes and not minors and non-smokers.

Vapers Alliance also questioned the prohibition of vaping, saying alcohol and cars should also be banned if reckless driving and drunk driving is deadly.

“Reckless driving, and driving while under the influence of alcohol is deadly. Should we ban cars and alcohol? We cannot ban vaping simply because other people are not following the rules,” the group said.

The Department of Health said over 1 million Filipinos are using e-cigarettes or vaping-related products.

Edited by MUF