Palace assures vape bill to undergo strict vetting process

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday assured that the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act, or the Vape Bill would undergo rigorous vetting process before President Rodrigo Duterte will decide whether to sign it or not.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles made the assurance as medical groups have called on Duterte to veto the proposed measure.

“As with any bill or measure from Congress, dumadaan ito sa vetting process so hayaan na lang natin na ma-vet ito nang maigi,” he said in a briefing.

(As with any bill, this will undergo a vetting process so let’s just let it be vetted.)

“Ultimately after the vetting process ay ibibigay naman ito kay Pangulong Duterte for his final decision,” he added.

(After the vetting process, this will be given to the President for his final decision.)

Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), has described the proposed law as “a deregulation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.”

READ: Medical groups ask Duterte anew to veto vape bill

This, she said, will “break the vow” Duterte made to “fight addiction” as it will only “increase addiction to cigarettes and alcohol and illicit drugs.”

Last week, the bicameral conference committee reconciled the disagreeing provisions of the Senate and House versions of the bill.

READ: Vape bill gets final Senate nod

The proposed law lowers the age limit for vaping from 21 to 18 years old, and removes the existing two-flavor restriction.

It also transfers regulatory authority from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the Department of Trade and Industry.

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