Study: Philippines has failed to effectively control e-cigarette use on campuses

Multiple aspects of regulations enacted in the Philippines have not been complied with, including the sale of e-cigarettes near schools and tobacco issues.

An observational study conducted by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that the Philippines has problems enforcing local tobacco and e-cigarette regulations, including the sale of e-cigarettes near schools and problems with tobacco enforcement, according to a Sept. 26 news release from vapingpost.  

The current study investigated the sale and marketing of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products near schools. A total of 6,617 retailers were monitored within 200 meters of 353 schools in urban and rural areas of nine cities and regions in the Philippines, and most schools were found to be selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco within 100 meters.

"Strict enforcement of existing policies prohibiting the sale and advertising of tobacco products within 100 meters of schools and implementation of a comprehensive national policy on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship can protect the well-being of Filipino youth and reduce tobacco-induced morbidity. death and disease in the Philippines," said IGTC investigator and scientist Jennifer Brown.