THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strictly implement the prohibition and restrictions on the sale and use of vape products.
In a brief statement, the DOH urged the DTI to take action to counter the proliferation of vape products among the younger generation, being the authority with “exclusive jurisdiction” on matters involving vaping.
“The Department of Health urges the Department of Trade and Industry, as the mandated authority to strictly enforce the provisions of the Vape Law, to prohibit access to these harmful products, especially among the youth,” said the DOH.
“(We call on DTI) to proactively scan the market and confiscate said products that are unregistered and violative of the Vape Law, including those that have flavors that are found to attract the youth,” it added.
The DOH was seconded by the anti-smoking group, Sin Tax Coalition, which said the DTI must strictly enforce e-cigarette regulations to protect the youth from the products’ harmful health effects.
“Given that the DTI is now the main regulator of e-cigarette and vape products, they must be resolute in making sure that vape regulations are in place,” said Sin Tax Coalition.
Earlier, health advocates sounded the alarm over the “vape epidemic” spreading among young people.
Based on the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, about 14.1 percent of school-aged children are smoking electronic cigarettes or vapes.
Given its limited authority over vaping issues, the DOH said it will continue to inform the public about the harms brought about by vaping.
The health department said it shall promote and establish smoke-free and vape-free environments through social media campaigns.
The DOH also said it shall issue templates and implement graphic health warnings (GHW) for vape products and other similar products in order to raise awareness on the ill effects of using such products.
“We also encourage our provincial and local governments to implement our smoke-free and vape-free playbooks so that we are enabled to live in a healthier environment,” said the DOH.
