THE Department of Health (DoH) has joined other health and civil society groups in condemning the passage of Senate Bill 2239 that allows expanded access to vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products or e-cigarettes.

The Senate passed the bill on third and final reading on December 16, and it is now being merged with House Bill 9007 at the Bicameral Conference Committee.

In a statement, the DoH said the approval of the SB 2239 will put the Filipino youth at risk, noting that the prevalence of the use of e-cigarettes have increased among the youth.