FILE PHOTO: A saleswoman holds an e-cigarette as she demonstrates vaping at the Vape Shop that sells e-cigarette products in Beijing, China, on January 30, 2019. Consumer advocacy group Rights Action Philippines is calling for stringent regulation of e-cigarettes and other tobacco substitute products amid its growing popularity, especially among the youth. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
MANILA, Philippines — A consumer advocacy group has called for stringent regulation of e-cigarettes and other tobacco substitute products amid its growing popularity, especially among the youth.
The Rights Action Philippines (RAP) said Thursday that illegal cigarettes can be easily accessed online. It also expressed concern that some brands even use influencers to encourage the youth to vape.
“The blatant sale of cheap and illegal e-cigarettes online and in vape shops is alarming,” RAP president Rey Dulay said in a statement.
“They are accessible even to minors because they are sold cheap because they do not pay proper taxes. Moreso, they use young influencers to market their products,” he added.
On February 6, the Department of Trade and Industry reported that it seized more than 18,000 illegal vape products worth P5.5 million and that 200 complaints were filed against vape stores with violations.
READ: DTI reports confiscation of over 18,000 vape products worth P5.5 million
“How do these minors get these illegal products? Why doesn’t the government regulate these products strictly?” the group asked.
RAP also urged the government to strictly implement laws concerning tobacco and other tobacco substitute products to protect the health of the youth.
READ: PH pushed to reject vape, e-cigarettes in international meet
“While RAP is a strong advocate of freedom of choice and our right to access products we want to consume, we are also for the strict enforcement of our revenue and regulatory laws, especially if their violations would undermine the health of our youth,” Dulay stressed.
On February 3, former Department of Health officials warned that vapes and other similar products are as dangerous as tobacco cigarettes in terms of health risks.