Anakalusugan Party-list expressed concern over the pronouncements of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) marketing the Philippines as a manufacturing hub for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
“It is deeply concerning that our economic managers are seemingly disregarding the potential health risks of using e-cigarettes and HTPs in favor of economic gain,” said Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Ray T. Reyes.
“While these products are usually branded as a safer alternative to cigarettes, they still pose many health risks,” he added.
The lawmaker made the statement after an undersecretary of DTI touted the Philippines’ potential to be a manufacturing hub for e-cigarettes and HTPs during the International Tobacco Agriculture Summit.
Reyes said these pronouncements from DTI are contrary to the intent of Republic Act 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act) which aims to protect Filipinos from potential hazards of these products.
“Our economic managers should be careful with their statements because these can be misconstrued as an endorsement of a product that they are mandated to regulate,” he said.
Under the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, DTI is mandated to regulate vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.
He said the DTI should instead focus on preventing and restricting access to HTPs and vapes, especially among young people.
“We understand the need to jumpstart our economy but it is also important that we do not disregard the health of our kababayans,” Reyes added.
