Solon seeks swift approval of proposed bill regulating e-cigs

Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe is urging the House Committee on Health to fast track the approval of House Bill No. 3330 entitled the “Vaporized Nicotine Product Regulation Act” which seeks to regulate the use, sale, packaging, distribution and advertisements of vaporized nicotine products such as electronic cigarettes.

The proposed bill comes on the heels of the recent pronouncement by the Department of Health to adopt the recommendation of the World Health Organization to disallow the use of e-cigarettes in indoor spaces.

“We are seeking to enact the Vape Regulation Bill in order to guarantee the safety of our Filipino consumers. This will provide a clear-cut policy in addressing the concerns and issues concerning the use of e-cigarettes,” Batocabe said.

Vaporized nicotine products deliver nicotine to the user without combustion and are seen as a safer alternative to smoking.

International groups such as the Public Health England and the British Lung Foundation have stressed the importance of a separate regulation for vaporized nicotine products.

“The regulation of the vaping industry would guarantee the quality and safety of the products. Products will be required to be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry three months prior to their release in the market,” Batocabe said.