THE Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, or Vape Regulation Bill, was not vetoed by President Marcos Jr. and lapsed into law last July 25, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said yesterday.
The Official Gazette states that “if the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it will lapse into law after 30 days of receipt.”
The bill was ratified by the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 26, 2022.
Several sectors, including the Department of Health (DOH), had called for the veto of the bill because it contradicts public health goals and international standards.
The state-run Philippine News Agency said Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez sent a letter to Congress, through Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Speaker Martin Romualdez, with a copy of the unsigned law. Malacanang has yet to release a copy of the letter of Rodriguez or the law.
Asked if the bill has lapsed into law, Angeles said “yes po.”
The law provides for the regulation of the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, along with novel tobacco products.
It also prevents minors from accessing vape products by setting the minimum allowable age for the purchase, sale, and use of such products to 18 years old.
Under the law, the Department of Trade and Industry shall consult the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in setting up technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of vape products while the DOH shall prescribe the guidelines on the implementation of smoking and vaping restriction awareness campaigns.
The DTI will also oversee the regulation of the vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and their devices and novel tobacco products made from tobacco leaves.
LAMENT ALL AROUND
Anti-smoking advocates lamented the fact that Marcos did not veto the controversial bill despite their repeated calls to do so.
Sen. Pia Cayetano was also disappointed, saying: “To say that I am disappointed in the 18th Congress that passed the bill, and with the President for not vetoing it, will not do justice to the millions of lives that will be put in harm’s way because of the Vape Law. My heart is broken but my spirit is not.”
In a statement, the “Sin Tax Coalition” said it is demoralizing to learn that the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act” is now a law despite the Philippine medical and scientific community vehemently opposing it.
“We are disheartened to find out that the tobacco industry’s interests have prevailed over public health,” the coalition said. “We are dismayed that fake news has prevailed over science.”
The group, composed of healthcare professionals and civil society organizations, said they wouldn’t be surprised if there will be more individuals using vapes.
“We anticipate that the Vape Bill will lead to the increase in vape usage among the youth as it will lower the age of access to e-cigarettes and vaping products from 21 years old to 18 years old. It will not give smokers the chance to quit traditional cigarettes and shift to e-cigarette and vape products, as these alternative products have long been available,” it stressed.
The coalition said it will not give up the fight, adding: “We will continue to push for the strict implementation of regulation of tobacco and vapor products.”
Cayetano vowed to join the fight, saying: “I will never stop fighting for the health and well-being of the Filipinos, even against strong lobbies of industries and policymakers who choose to support their interests over the people.” — With Gerard Naval and Raymond Africa
