House OKs bill seeking to regulate electronic cigarettes

SAFER ALTERNATIVE? Not for tobacco control advocates who maintain that e-cigarettes emit toxic chemicals. INQUIRER file photo / RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill that seeks to regulate the use, manufacture, sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes.

During Wednesday’s session, the chamber approved House Bill No. 9007 or the “Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act.”

One of the primary provisions of the bill is that people purchasing, selling, and using electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems, as well as heated tobacco products, must be at least 18 years old.

Retailers are then mandated to verify the age of potential buyers by requiring any government-issued identification card showing the buyer’s photo and age.

Before the bill was approved, Rep. Joet Garcia attempted to amend this part of the bill seeking to raise the age requirement to 21.

The amendment, however, ended up getting rejected by the chamber.

Aside from this, the bill prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes in all enclosed public places, except those that are assigned as smoking areas.

The measure also prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products within 100 meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, playground or other areas frequented by children or minors.

The bill, on the other hand, still allows the sale of electronic cigarettes online, however, sellers are required to place measures that ensure the access will be restricted within the age limit.

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