Key executive departments threw their support behind the Vape Bill which is expected to protect more than 16 million Filipino adult smokers from the hazards of smoking by regulating the industry of less harmful smoke-free alternatives such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Former Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Department of National Defense (DND) supports the intent of the Vape Bill which is to “promote healthy environment and protect the citizens from any potential hazards caused by smoking and ensure that the sale to minors and the illicit trade of VNNP (vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products) and their devices are effectively prevented”.

Lorenzana submitted the position of the DND in response to the request by Malacanang Palace for comments and recommendation on the consolidated House Bill No. 9007 and Senate Bill No. 2239. The Office of the Executive Secretary solicited inputs for the approval of the bill which was already ratified by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The enrolled bill aims to regulate “the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco products”.

Also expressing their strong support for the enactment of the Vape Bill are the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Labor and Employment.

The DILG said it also supports the approval of the bill as it regulates the importation, distribution, manufacture, packaging, sale and use of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.

The DILG said the Vape Bill strengthens Republic Act. No. 11467 and RA 11346, as it provides penalties which are absent in the two measures. “The bill likewise adds to the existing prohibitions found in RA 11467 like the prohibition on the use of flavor descriptors that appeal to minors in the packing. This is on top of the flavor ban found in the said law,” it said.

“The regulation of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products will be beneficial to our economy specifically to the farmers and laborers dependent on the tobacco industry and guide the local government units on the proper course of action to take relative to these vaporized products,” the DILG said.

The DTI said, “vape products can be utilized as an alternative or a helpful means to transition from consuming conventional tobacco products to less harmful tobacco products.”

Studies on tobacco use prevalence show that 16.6 million adults or 23.8 percent of the Philippine population are reported as tobacco users in any form. “With studies suggesting that use of vape products contribute to decline in smoking prevalence, the bill provides access to less harmful alternatives, while espousing parity in regulation with that of cigarettes,” the DTI said.

“Maintaining its position for regulation of tobacco products, instead of its total ban, to prevent proliferation of illicit trade; and aligned with its mandate on consumer protection and policy of ensuring a balance between all stakeholders’ interests, the DTI believes that vape products can be utilized as an alternative or a helpful means to transition from consuming conventional tobacco products to less harmful tobacco products,” the agency said.

“Regulation of vape products, which are novel consumer products, is consistent with the DTI’s overarching mandates and capability to protect consumers and establish product standards under Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines and RA 4109 or the Philippine Standards Law,” it said.

The DTI cited data showing that some 2.18 million Filipino farmers, workers and laborers depend on the tobacco industry. It said the bill will support the livelihoods of those economically dependent on the local tobacco industry and would help in keeping the industry afloat.

“Hence, the bill clearly provides a regulatory framework to ensure that taxes are collected from vape products, and thus, would contribute revenues to the national coffers,” the DTI said.

Former Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said DOLE supports the passage of the enrolled bill which seeks to provide significant income, employment and livelihood to tobacco farmers, workers and their dependents; increase revenues; regulate vapor products; and provide alternative option and transition for smokers to lessen or quit smoking.

“Tobacco growing, manufacturing and sales are important economic activities which support the livelihood of 2.7 million Filipinos including tobacco farmers, workers and their dependents. This reality must be considered in the treatment and regulation of this novel industry,” the DOLE said.

“This will certainly lead to job generation, opening of new businesses and provide more employment for the labor sector,” DOLE said.

In another letter sent to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the PhilTobacco Growers Association, Inc. of Notthern Luzon representing more than 50,000 tobacco farmers appealed for the passage of the Vape Bill to sustain their livelihood.

“Sa kalaunan at sa kasama ang akmang suporta, naniniwala kami na magbibigay din ito ng pagkakataon upang kaming mga magsasaka ay maging bahagi ng makabagong mga productng ito na ang pangunahing sangkap ay nagmumula pa din sa tabako,” the farmers said.

The farmers cited that most of these products are imported and that farmers from other countries are the ones benefitting from the industry. “Nais namin na kami ay maging bahadi ng potensyal na maitutulong nito hindi lang sa lokal na pangangailangan kundi pat isa posibleng pag-export nito sa ibang bansa,” they said.