The Department of Health has called for a nationwide ban on the use of electronic cigarettes or vaping due to the dangers posed to public health.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the they will support a bill that will ban e-cigarettes amid the “alarming” rise in the use of such products.
“Ang vape ay nakakasama sa ating kalusugan, hindi po ito ligtas,” he said during a Palace press briefing.
“If the DoH have its way, we would go for an outright ban and I think there is a possible legal – I mean legislation that will be proposed sa Senate and maybe in the House and we will support it, kasi talagang safe is no use of the product,” he added.
He said an outright ban of the e-cigarettes would be the “best” option compared to just regulating its use. He noted that many countries have already imposed a ban on e-cigarettes due to health risks.
“Marami nang gumagamit, marami nang mga nagnenegosyo, it’s there. So regulation would be the softer way, but for health outcomes, an outright ban would be the best talaga and will definitely improve health outcomes,” he said.
He noted that one percent of the country’s population is believed to be using e-cigarettes, including flavored ones.
Domingo maintained that the e-cigarettes are not a good alternative to smoking regular cigarettes. He noted that of the 1,604 vaping-related injury cases in the United States, 34 people died from the illness. (Genalyn Kabiling)
