How to Promote Vaping Products After the Philippines’ New Bill

Philippines is implementing local tobacco ande-cigarettesProblems with regulations

An observational study conducted by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that multiple aspects of regulations enacted in the Philippines were not followed. nbsp;

The current study investigated the sales and marketing of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP) near schools. A total of 6617 retailers within 200 meters of 353 schools in urban and rural areas in nine cities and regions in the Philippines were monitored. Sales of 2070 cigarettes, 43 e-cigarettes and 33 HTP were found within 100 meters of most schools.

" Strictly enforcing existing policies that ban the sale and advertising of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools and implementing a comprehensive national policy on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship can protect the well-being of young people in the Philippines and reduce tobacco-caused morbidity. Death and disease in the Philippines,"said IGTC investigator and scientist Jennifer Brown.

Similarly, last year, Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Ways and Means Group, emphasized" lax compliance "with Republic Bill 11900, the Vaporizing Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

The Philippine E-Cigarette Act (Republic Act No. 11900) is a coordinated version of Senate Bill 2239, or the "Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act", designed to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and consumption of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP) and House Bill 9007, or the "Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery System Regulation Act."

Vape regulations have long been sought after

A survey conducted before the bill was passed showed that nine in ten (or 90%) local smokers supported a public health strategy that recognized the use of safer nicotine alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, to quit smoking.

This survey was conducted by ACORN Marketing Research Co.Conducted by nsultants, commissioned by consumer rights group Vapers PH, showed that about 70% of the 2,000 respondents believed e-cigarettes and HTP were better alternatives to cigarettes, and 88% of adult smokers said they would consider switching to smoke-free alternatives. In addition, 94% believe that local governments should develop policies to encourage smokers to switch to less harmful cigarette alternatives, while taking strict measures to ensure that minors cannot come into contact with these products.

Public health and tobacco harm reduction experts have also long advocated product regulation. Peter Dator, chairman of consumer group Vapers PH and a member of CAPHRA, said regulated products mean minors are protected, black markets are eradicated, safety standards are maintained, and ensure adults have access to smoking cessation products.

However, Rep. Salceda stressed that this is not the case because of tax exemptions and importede-cigarette productsThey are passed off as "toys" and "electronic products" on online sales platforms. The economic-turned-lawmaker said his employees searched online platforms to check if they could buy goods online while bypassing all due restrictions. He revealed that it was a pity that his colleagues could do this easily.# p#pagination title #e#

The Philippines has one of the countries with the highest smoking rates in the world

According to calculations, there were more than 15.9 million smokers and 16.5 million tobacco users in the Philippines in 2015, and about 110,000 people die of related diseases every year. The country is also considered to be the second largest tobacco consumer in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Indonesia ranking first.

Hannah Nario-Lopez, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines, said banning smoking in public places and workplaces is not enough to reduce smoking rates. "We should not view smoking as just an isolated social behavior or problem because it may be more than just an addiction," she said. She also explained that smokers often attribute the "meaning" of cigarettes to cigarettes, which may "make it difficult for them to quit smoking."

Philippines 'e-cigarette bill is praised at Asian Harm Reduction Forum

Philippine Electronic Cigarette Act-Three months after the passage of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, world-renowned experts signed the Manila Declaration 2022, urging signatories to the World Health Organization (WHO) and representatives of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to follow the science of reducing tobacco harm.

The Philippine E-Cigarette Act is a coordinated version of Senate Bill 2239, or the" Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act,"which regulates the import, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and consumption of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco in products (HTP) and House Bill 9007, or the" Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery System Regulation Act."

Just three months after the bill was passed," world-renowned experts signed the 2022 Manila Declaration." The declaration was released after the fifth Asian Harm Reduction Forum (AHRF 2022) on October 28 and aims to provide signatories and representatives to the Framework Convention on Tobacco with information and evidence not included in any guidance provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) to control safer nicotine products (FCTC). In addition, it also emphasized that despite scientific support for the use of e-cigarettes to quit smoking, e-cigarette users are still marginalized, ignored and attacked because of their choices.

" Individuals 'right to health is considered a basic human right; the vast majority of tobacco-related deaths and diseases are caused by smoking; e-cigarettes are much safer than cigarettes and have helped millions of people quit smoking; reducing harm is at the core of international treaty obligations; the ban is only to protect the cigarette industry; public health and the credibility of the government are at risk,"the statement said.

AHRF2022:" Integrating harm reduction into Asian policies: A major victory for public health "

At the same time, AHRF held its fifth annual rally on October 28, 2022. AHRF2022 is held in the Philippines with the theme "Integrating harm reduction into Asian policies: A major victory for public health" and is expected to build on the success and momentum of previous forums. As a non-profit interdisciplinary organization, AHRF aims to provide information and education on harm reduction, the latest scientific research and public health development. The theme of reducing tobacco harm.

Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of CAPHRA (Asia-Pacific Alliance of Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates), emphasized that the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control still fails to meet the requirements of smokers who want to quit smoking. "The false information provided by the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its affiliated bodies to signatories as 'guidance' is dangerous. Eight million adults die every year from unsafe tobacco products, and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has failed and continues to fail."# p#pagination title #e#

Philippine representative to CAPHRA Clarisse Virgino praised Philippine lawmakers for finally incorporating harm reduction into legislation. "The e-cigarette law introduces new possibilities for harm-reduction alternatives in the country. This is just the first step towards creating a healthier and safer environment for all. We want our legislators to continue to pursue different aspects of harm reduction in their constitutional mandate to protect the well-being of citizens,"Vigino said.