Senate ratifies bicam report on vape bill

(FILE) vaping

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday ratified the reconciled version of a bill seeking the regulation of vaporized nicotine (vape) and non-nicotine products as well as novel tobacco products.

The Senate ratified the report of the bicameral conference committee, which reconciled the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2239 and House Bill No. 9007.

The Senate version, dubbed as the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act, was adopted as the working draft during the bicam, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who led the Senate contingent.

“This bill is meant to regulate vaporized nicotine products, non-nicotine products, and novel tobacco products. It is expected to encourage a shift from smoking the unhealthier cigarettes to these alternative less harmful products,” Recto said.

Under the bill, these products are not allowed to be sold to minors.

“This bill is never intended to adopt a new lifestyle, especially for minors, who are prohibited from having access to these products,” the senator went on.

Posts, messages, or images by manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers that encourage the purchase and use of vape products would also be prohibited under the measure, according to an earlier release from the House of Representatives.

The bill will task the Department of Health to prescribe guidelines on the implementation of smoking and vaping restriction awareness campaigns, it added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would be required to consult the Food and Drug Administration in setting technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of the products.

Further, the bill gives manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sellers an 18-month transitory period from the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations to comply with the requirements of this measure, including the registration of the products with the DTI.

The House has yet to ratify the bicam report. Once the lower chamber ratifies the report, it will then be transmitted to Malacañang for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Medical groups, however, recently renewed their call for Duterte to veto the vape bill.

Malacañang, meanwhile, assured the measure will undergo rigorous vetting process before the president decides whether to approve it or not.

/MUF