E-cigarettes need to undergo regulation because it still contains nicotine — solon

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MANILA — E-cigarettes which had been found containing small amount of nicotine needs to undergo regulation in the manufacture, distribution, sale, importation and use as one of the new means to overcome tobacco addiction.

Paranaque City Rep. Eric L. Olivarez said e-cigarettes are not completely risk-free because it remains a source of nicotine, which is known to be an addictive substance.

“Although it may be safer than a cigarette or tobacco, because it does not produce real smoke as a very dangerous by-product of the latter, the long-term effects of vaping e-cigarettes are still not guaranteed to be completely safe,” Olivarez said.

Olivarez said e-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative to regular cigarettes to help smokers stop their unhealthy habit without having to suffer the effects of sudden withdrawal and eliminates the risk of other people getting complication from second-hand smoke.

“E-cigarettes are designed to mimic the real thing. The internal assembly of this device is comprised of a battery, a heating element, and a cartridge that holds nicotine and other liquids and flavorings. The end of the stick glows as one inhales it and a cloud of pseudo-smoke is puffed out as the user exhales. This seeming smoke is vapor, and the act of inhaling the said device is called vaping,” Olivarez pointed out.

Under House Bill 5093 known as the “E-Cigarettes or Vape,” manufacturers of e-cigarettes are directed to put health warnings in the packaging of their products.

He said the Department of Health (DOH) may also impose restrictions and regulations regarding the advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes to ensure that the public are made aware of the actual nature of e-cigarettes and are not misled or misinformed regarding the product.

The bill provides that companies already manufacturing or wish to manufacture or distribute e-cigarettes in the country should first register the products and their ingredients with the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFD).

Under the proposal, local government units (LGU) are also allowed to levy reasonable taxes on the manufacturing, sale, distribution or importation of e-cigarettes.