THE WORLD Health Organization (WHO) and Department of Health (DOH) have both repeatedly cautioned the public regarding harmful chemicals in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes such as nicotine, ultra-fine particles, carcinogens, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds. Results generated from peer-reviewed studies show that e-cigarette juices contain high levels of addictive nicotine, which can result in acute or even fatal poisoning through ingestion and other means.
Yet several lawmakers still believe otherwise and insist on the approval of the consolidated House Bill 9007 and Senate Bill 2239 or the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Bill. They claim the measure is designed to “strengthen regulations to discourage minors from using cigarette alternatives.”
But is it?
On the contrary, the Vape Bill essentially relaxes regulations on the sale, distribution, use, and promotion of e-cigarettes, giving the tobacco industry a free pass to reach even children.
One congressperson claims the Vape Bill, “strengthens regulations” to discourage minors from using cigarette alternatives such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Another says the bill is “very restrictive when it comes to flavors.”
These legislators are using weak euphemisms to justify how Congress has actually embraced the sales pitch of big tobacco, instead of listening to scientific data and expert analysis. These manufacturers, some of whose local counterparts here even lobbied for the industry-friendly Vape Bill in Congress, are responsible for creating the youth vaping epidemic in the US. Are we now allowing them to do the same in the country?
Case in point: the consolidated bill lowers the minimum age of access to e-cigarettes from age 21 to 18, setting aside the proposal of several health experts to maintain 21 years old, which is the existing age restriction based on Republic Act 11467.
Despite putting several restrictions on flavor descriptors for ENDS, the consolidated bill gives a free pass on producers to use of attractive flavors that lure users among the younger generation, and even allows the online sale of e-cigarettes.
We remind our legislators: in passing the Vape Bill, Congress has ignored several studies and warnings issued by no less than the WHO and even the DOH against the use of e-cigarettes. Technical euphemisms and token restrictions aside, the Vape Bill still makes it appear that e-cigarettes are less deleterious to health than traditional tobacco products, even if science proves otherwise.
