The British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) has called for a balanced regulatory framework as President Rodrigo Duterte contemplates whether to sign or veto a bill seeking to regulate vape products.
Chris Nelson, BCCP executive director and trustee, said in a letter to Duterte that the vape bill, which was approved by Congress, provides the Philippines an opportunity to follow the United Kingdom, noting that “the liberal approach to vaping of the UK government has led to a significant reduction in smoking rates.”
The BCCP, which supports the proposed law, said that between 2012 and 2016, the UK smoking rate decreased from 20.4% to 16.1%.
Nelson said the UK approach incorporates substantiated principles, including the prohibition of e-cigarette sales to and use by people under the age of 18 and the recognition of e-cigarettes as 95% less harmful than smoking, with no identified health risks to bystanders from exposure to second-hand e-cigarette vapor.
The Federation of Philippine Industries has previously stated that passing legislation to regulate vape products will curb the illegal trade in cigarette alternatives while also increasing government revenue.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has been opposing the passage of the vape bill, stressing that usage of vapes and e-cigarettes increases the risk of heart and respiratory diseases. —VBL, GMA News
British chamber calls for balanced regulatory framework for vape products
Source: News Panda Philippines
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