DOH, WHO want e-cigarettes regulated after vape explodes in teener’s face

The Department of Health on Monday called for the regulation of e-cigarettes after a 17-year old suffered serious burns after his vape exploded in his face.

The World Health Organization and the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association supported the call.

"Vaping and all of these nicotine-delivering devices should be regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)," DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said at a press conference.

"We want to regulate not only the content, the delivery system but also the things that they use, the ones that could possibly explode," he added.

King Sardea, 17, was hospitalized after a defective battery caused his vape to blow up.

Vape regulation would need legislation and bills on the matter remain pending in Congress.

Domingo proposed that vape devices be registered and checked for safety.

"And second would be the liquid, depending on content because some of them might have harmful chemicals," it added.

And like cigarettes, the DOH wants e-cigarettes banned for minors.

The World Health Organization (WHO) supports the regulation of vaping.

"We are fully with the DOH in this call for regulating the use of these devices and the different delivery forms. It is clear that these are products that do have a health effect, a negative health effect," said Dr. Gundo Weiler, WHO Country Representative.

Weiler said that Singapore and Finland have banned vaping while the UK and Canada are regulating it for those who want to quit smoking.

The Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), meanwhile, supports "fair regulations based on impartial scientific evidence and credible research and findings."

PECIA President Joey Dulay said part of their recommendations "is to allow only the use and sale of regulated or variable vape devices with safety features and consistent with product standards of the DTI." —NB, GMA News