The Philippines Brings E-Cigarettes Under Regulation Instead of Banning Them

After e-cigarettes were severely misunderstood in the Philippines last year, a rational perspective finally emerged on February 28 this year!

Last year, when cases of lung injuries were reported in the Philippines, it was mistakenly believed that e-cigarettes were the cause, leading to a very harsh stance from the government, which escalated to the presidential level.

On November 19 last year, Philippine President Duterte delivered a stern speech regarding e-cigarettes, stating that he would ban their use and importation, and arrest anyone using e-cigarettes.

"I want to ban it, including its use and importation. Do you know why? Because it is toxic, and the government has the right to implement measures to protect public health and public interest," Duterte said.

Just hours after President Duterte announced the ban on e-cigarettes, on November 20, 2019, the Philippine police received orders to start arresting people using e-cigarettes in public places.

After this turmoil, good news finally arrived in the new year of 2020!

On February 28, 2020, the Presidential Palace of the Philippines announced an executive order signed by President Duterte, revising the national smoking ban issued in 2017 to include e-cigarettes under regulation.

Although e-cigarettes are now regulated, the executive order stipulates that businesses involved in the manufacture or sale of e-cigarettes can operate after registering and obtaining a license from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration, and must comply with relevant standards set by the Philippine government during their operations.

This executive order marks the beginning of a regulated development for e-cigarettes in the Philippines! The Philippine government no longer treats e-cigarettes with a simple, harsh, one-size-fits-all approach! The government will no longer ban the use and importation of e-cigarettes!

Of course, it is not purely beneficial, as there will still be restrictions on e-cigarettes. According to this executive order, the minimum age for legally purchasing, possessing, or using various tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, in the Philippines is 21 years old.

The regulations prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in public places, except in designated smoking areas (similar to regulations in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou in China). The new regulations will take effect 15 days after their announcement.