Senate ratifies bill regulating vape products

The Senate on Tuesday ratified the bill seeking to regulate vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products or vapes.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, chairman of the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee, sponsored the reconciled version of Senate Bill 2239 and House Bill 9007.

The bill provides regulations on the  importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vape products and novel tobacco products.

Due to the lateness of the hour, the senators have decided to insert into the records the joint explanation on the final version of the bill.

The bill bans posts, messages, or images by manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers that encourage the purchase and use of vape products.

The measure is intended to offer an alternative for Filipinos who want to quit smoking.

Recto reiterated that the bill did not back the promotion of vaping “as a lifestyle.”

The Department of Health will be tasked to prescribe guidelines on the implementation of smoking and vaping restriction awareness campaigns while the Department of Trade and Industry will consult with the Food and Drug Administration in setting technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of the vape products.

Manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sellers will be given an 18-month transitory period from the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations to comply with the requirements of this measure.

This would include the registration of the vape products with the DTI.—LDF, GMA News