SENATE Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Friday, Feb 10, 2023 called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other concerned government agencies to immediately address the proliferation and selling of vape products that clearly violate Republic Act (RA) No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

During the hearing of the Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation and Futures Thinking Friday, February 10, 2023, presided by its chairperson, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Villanueva cited the rampant selling of vape flavors with descriptors that are appealing to minors which is a clear violation of Sec. 12 (j) of RA 11900.

“We reiterate our call, madam chair, on the concerned government agencies, especially the DTI, to give us a clear and definitive answer in this proceedings as to why the proliferation of these prohibited products was allowed. We also like an immediate resolution of this issue pursuant to the provisions of the law, even as we await the recommendations of the committee,” Villanueva said.

Cayetano, who presided over the hearing, also noted that the various vape flavors and designs attract the youth contrary to the SIN Tax Reform Act in 2020, which she had then sponsored.

Cayetano recalled the debate then was whether to ban or monitor and regulate vaporized products.

The decision then was to tax and regulate, and to check whether concerned agencies are actually regulating vaporized products, especially those that entice the youth, Cayetano explained.

Also, Cayetano noted, peered-reviewed studies had warned that vape products might be more harmful than cigarettes.

“There are now studies saying that there is more lung damage to people who vape than those who smoke cigarette. The alarm has been sounded by the United Kingdom (UK),” Cayetano said.

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PS Jun M. Sarmiento