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November 09, 2022 by filtermag.org

Amid intensifying debate over the regulation of novel nicotine products, the Philippines—despite being known for the murderous drug war waged by former President Rodrigo Duterte—has charted a regulatory course that could be a template for other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia and beyond.

“For the first time in the legislative history of our country, we have achieved a national differentiated regulatory framework governing vaping products and HTP [heated tobacco products],” said Dr. Lorenzo Mata, a central figure in the Philippine movement for balanced regulation and head of the nonprofit Quit for Good. [...]

October 24, 2022 by tobaccoreporter.com

The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will begin consulting the public for the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the country’s new vape law today, reports ABS-CBN News

“For private stakeholders who have an interest on the crafting of the IRR, they are included, and we will consider all inputs or all comments that were sent,” said DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo.

August 23, 2022 by inquirer.net

A respected scientific research and advocacy group welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which it described as a major anti-smoking regulation that will provide Filipino smokers access to regulated less harmful alternatives.

“The Harm Reduction Alliance of the Philippines (HARAP) applauds the passage of the new ‘anti-smoking’ Vape Law. This development affirms the sound and real science behind tobacco harm reduction (THR) which countries like the U.K., Japan and New Zealand have accepted and implemented,” said Prof. Ron Christian G. Sison, lead convenor of HARAP.

August 23, 2022 by tobaccoreporter.com

Vaping activists have praised the Philippines for enacting progressive e-cigarette legislation.

On July 25, legislation took effect that lowers the purchase age for e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products, removes a two-flavor limit on e-liquids and allows vaping sponsorships beyond industry associations and trade events.

“Enacting some of the most progressive vaping legislation in Asia-Pacific now makes the Philippines an international leader in effective tobacco harm reduction,” said Nancy Loucas, [...]

August 05, 2022 by philstar.com

If not regulated, vape or vaporized nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, would proliferate, especially through illicit means among Filipino minors. Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian, previously deputy House speaker during the 18th Congress, echoed this warning amid the renewed debate over the newly enacted Vape bill.

The Congressman-turned Mayor took up the cudgels for Republic Act (RA) 11900, otherwise known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, Vape law, for short. [...]

August 04, 2022 by manilatimes.net

HEALTH experts believe that the Vape law will help reduce serious diseases and deaths caused by smoking in the Philippines where there are more than 16 million smokers.

"Simply put, smoking kills and I think no one will dispute that our government should do everything it can to stop this—including the passage of this landmark anti-smoking vape law," Dr. Arleen Reyes, former president of the Philippine Dental Association and chairman of the Scientific Committee for the Asia Pacific Dental Federation, said in a statement.

"Smoking is our biggest enemy because it is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the country," Reyes said.

August 02, 2022 by inquirer.net

The implementation of the landmark “anti-smoking” vape law will significantly cut down the high smoking rate in the Philippines and help reduce the health risks faced by more than 16 million Filipino smokers, according to top medical specialists.

Dr. Rafael Castillo, past president of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) and the only Filipino doctor who sits in the board of trustee of the UK-based International Society of Hypertension, said the enactment of Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, will address the country’s smoking problem.

August 01, 2022 by vaping360.com

The Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act overwhelmingly (19-2) passed the Philippines Senate in January, and was quickly reconciled with a version passed earlier by the House of Representatives. Since then, the bill has been the subject of intense debate, with major lobbying efforts by groups both in support and opposition to the law.

After the bill was transmitted to then-President Rodrigo Duterte on June 24, Filipino newspapers were filled with stories about efforts to persuade Duterte, and then his successor Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to sign or veto the bill. The presidents had 30 days from receiving the bill to sign or veto. Neither took any action, so the bill “lapsed” into law on July 25. [...]

July 26, 2022 by dailyexpress.com.my

The Vape Bill received strong support from key executive departments, as it will regulate smoke-free products in the country, provide more than 16 million Filipino adult smokers with less harmful alternatives and protect minors.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said “it fully supports the regulation of vaporised nicotine and non-nicotine products and other novel tobacco products (vape products.)”
“Vape products can be utilised as an alternative or a helpful means to transition from consuming conventional tobacco products to less harmful tobacco products,” former DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said [...]

July 21, 2022 by manilatimes.net

AGROUP of doctors and scientific experts urged President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to sign the Vape Bill into law to address the smoking epidemic that affects over 16 million Filipinos.

In a letter addressed to the President through Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez on July 8, the group, which included health care professionals, academicians and researchers, called for the enactment of the Vape Bill to be the first comprehensive law to regulate vapor products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.