Consumer groups criticized local antitobacco advocates for rehashing findings by the World Health Organization (WHO) that are flawed and old.
WHO is seeking to ban the indoor use of electronic cigarettes or “vapes” based on rehashed flawed information, they said.
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial had said the Department of Health was open to adopting the recommendation of WHO.
“Local antitobacco groups should realize that the WHO is not infallible and repeating wrong information on e-cigarettes will not make it correct. The WHO, which believes that the only way to reduce smoking is for smokers to ‘quit or die,’ should open its eyes to the evidence and consider the potential for new technologies, such as e-cigarettes, to reduce smoking-related harms,” said Tom Pinlac, president of The Vapers Philippines.
“Local health experts and antitobacco advocates should look beyond the WHO and consider the findings of independent studies on e-cigarettes. There is strong evidence that e-cigarettes can serve as a safer alternative to tobacco. Let us provide smokers trying to quit with accurate information on e-cigarettes,” said Joey Dulay, president of the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association.
WHO’s recommendation is based on its report on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems in August 2016 which claims, among others, that metals exposures among e-cigarette users are higher than in second-hand smoke and could be harmful to bystanders.