Pragmatic approach urged to address smoking problem

A health expert said that addressing the smoking problem in the Philippines requires a pragmatic approach, amid calls for or against the passage of a law that would regulate vape products. 

Dr. Rafael Castillo, former president of the Philippine Heart Association, said that the decline in smoking rate has been slow under the current strategy that involves the use of nicotine replacement therapy.

“People make poor lifestyle choices despite suffering negative health effects. Complete smoking cessation is the primary goal, but it is not achievable. There has to be a pragmatic middle ground,” he said. 

He also said that while the use of alternative tobacco products does not completely eliminate the harm, they can significantly reduce or mitigate the health risks. 

“Personally, I believe that this is the best bet of all currently available smoking cessation measures to help recalcitrant smokers really kick the smoking problem, not only in our country but worldwide,” he said. 

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

It will also transfer the regulatory powers over the products from the Food and Drug Administration to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Both the Department of Health and the Department of Education have urged President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the vape bill because they believe it will undermine existing national laws, policies, and standards on regulation, distribution, and use of vapor products and heated tobacco products.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is evidence that vapes and e-cigarettes are "harmful and not risk-free," adding that they increase the risk of heart and respiratory diseases as well as explosion injuries.

The Federation of Philippine Industries, meanwhile, said passing legislation to regulate vape products will curb the illegal trade in cigarette alternatives while also increasing government revenue.

Reports said the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act has not yet reached Malacañang for the President’s signature. —VBL, GMA News