MANILA – The congressional bicameral conference committee on Wednesday approved a measure that would regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as novel tobacco products. During the conference meeting, House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said the measure aims to offer an alternative for Filipinos who want to quit smoking.

Recto, however, noted that while Congress intends to push for the shift from smoking to vaping, the bill does not back its promotion “as a lifestyle.”