Duterte bans vaping in public places
Credit to Author: Catherine S. Valente, TMT| Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2020 04:40:28 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order (EO) against vaping in public and prohibited the manufacture and sale of unregistered and adulterated electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and tobacco products.
EO 106, which amends EO 26 that imposes requirements and limitations on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products, was signed by the President on February 26.
Under the new EO, all e-liquids, solutions or refills forming components of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) or heated tobacco products (HTPs) must be registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
All devices forming components of ENDS/ENNDS or HTPs are subject to the product standards imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the FDA.
Other novel tobacco products would also be regulated and are subject to the jurisdiction of the Inter-Agency Committee-Tobacco, in accordance with Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
“There is a need to regulate access to and use of ENDS/ENNDS, HTPs and other novel tobacco products, to address the serious and irreversible threat to public health, prevent the initiation of non-smokers and the youth, and minimize health risks to both users and other parties exposed to emissions,” the EO read.
Establishments that manufacture, import, and sell e-cigarettes, meanwhile, are required to secure a license to operate from the FDA.
The FDA and the DTI are directed to coordinate with the Bureau of Customs in the formulation of the guidelines, requirements and procedures for the regulation of the entry and importation of e-cigarettes and tobacco products into the Philippine market.
Thirty days after EO 106 takes effect, the FDA, in consultation with relevant agencies and stakeholders, is mandated to formulate and issue the rules, regulations and standards governing the registration of e-cigarettes and tobacco products.
EO 106 also said that there should also be a designated area for puffers of either vaping devices or traditional cigarettes
The use, sale or purchase of e-cigarettes and tobacco products by a person below 21 years is not allowed, according to the EO.
The EO also enjoins local government units to develop, promote and implement their respective Local Smoking Cessation Program, as well as to encourage the participation of public and private facilities.
The latest executive order is an expansion of Duterte’s 2017 directive to ban smoking of tobacco products in public places.
The order takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.