DOH ‘deeply concerned’ over vape bill lapsing into law

Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday expressed “deep concern” over the vape bill that had lapsed into law, assuring the public that it will now “tighten its grip” in implementing existing tobacco prevention and control measures.

The Department of Health (DOH) said this in a statement after warning that the law will now bring vape products, as well as novel tobacco products, closer to more Filipinos, especially the youth.

“The DOH expresses its deep concern over the Vape Bill lapsing into law,” said the DOH.

“This unfortunate development in policy will eventually lead to devastating health effects, diseases, and even death, in practice,” it added.

It then assured that it would commit to executing existing laws with a renewed commitment to protecting the public from Heated Tobacco Products, Electronic Delivery Nicotine Devices, and other tobacco products and vapes.

“The DOH will tighten its grip where the law enables it to as it implements existing tobacco prevention and control measures to protect the health of our kababayans (constituents),” the department said.

In addition, it said that it would work closely with authorities and partners to craft the Vape Law’s implementing rules and regulations with the sworn duty to monitor and regulate vapes, heated tobacco products, and other similar items of use.

It then vowed to see to it that the threat posed by vapes, heated tobacco products, and other similar items of use will be monitored and regulated by collaborating closely with relevant authorities and partners in developing the Vape Law’s implementing rules and regulations.

With the vape bill now a law, people as young as 18 years old may now legally smoke e-cigarettes and use other vaping products. It lapsed into law after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not veto nor sign the bill after 30 days of receiving the document.

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