Return of FDA regulation for vape products pushed

MANILA, Philippines — Action on Smoking and Health Philippines Executive Director Dr. Maricar Limpin on Tuesday pushed for the transfer of the regulatory jurisdiction over vape and other tobacco products to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act  vested the regulatory jurisdiction over vapes and other novel tobacco products from the FDA to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“Sana po ay magkaroon ng jurisdiction ulit ang FDA,” said Limpin in a press conference on the announcement of winners in the Department of Health’s “Stop and Gain, A Quit and Win Tobacco Cessation Contest.”

(I hope the FDA will have jurisdiction again.)

According to Limpin, the jurisdiction not being under the FDA gives the notion that vapes and cigarettes are not a health concern.

She also lamented that the age restriction for purchasing such products has been lowered from 21 to 18 years old under the law.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag admitted that it is quite difficult to regulate the selling and purchasing of vapes, particularly online.

With that, Tayag said that what the health department can do is receive reports on who are illegally selling vapes online.