Self-regulation key to success of vaping industry in PH

Self-regulation, adherence to high manufacturing standards and quality of imported products are key factors in the success of the e-cigarette industry in the Philippines, representatives of the Philippine vaping community told their counterparts in India.

Edward Gatchalian, president of Philippine E-liquids Manufacturers Association (Pema) shared their Philippine experience during a conference of manufacturers of  e-cigarettes, liquids, equipment, battery and accessories in New Delhi last Sept. 9 where he emphasized the need to raise public awareness of their issues and work with government to secure reasonable regulation.

Pema is an active member of the umbrella Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association (Pecia).

“Elevating the level of discourse on e-cigarettes by presenting scientific evidence from independent studies and experts is crucial to our survival. We believe that disseminating accurate and scientifically vetted evidence is the only answer to the lies, fear mongering and propaganda churned out by groups opposed to e-cigarettes,” said Gatchalian.

“Policymakers, public health experts and the general public, particularly smokers, need to know about the growing body of scientific evidence showing e-cigarettes are overwhelmingly less harmful than conventional cigarettes and can help smokers quit,” he added.

Gatchalian said smokers should be able to have the option to choose products that are potentially less harmful and government regulation should be able to encourage this.

An expert independent evidence review by Public Health England concluded that e-cigarettes are around 95 percent less harmful than smoking and that e-cigarettes may be contributing to falling smoking rates among adults and young people in the UK.

In another interview, Pecia president Joey Dulay said the Philippines currently has no clear regulatory guidelines for e-cigarettes which is why their organization polices its own ranks by conducting random checks to ensure that all its members strictly observe its code of conduct at all times, particularly in marketing or selling e-cigarette products only to adults.