With more than 16 million smokers, smoking in the Philippines is an epidemic. As a result, the government is pleased to pass the anti-smoking vape law. According to recent statistics, smoking is the country’s leading cause of preventable deaths! Ergo, if smoking is regulated, it will promote better societal health
The Vapourized Nicotine and Non-nicotine Products Regulation Act, VNNP (Republic Act No. 11900), will reduce the smoking rate in the country by regulating the manufacture, importation, distribution, packaging, sale, and use of vaping products. Statistically, smoking kills approximately 100,000 Filipinos per year. However, since the Republic Act No. 11900 became law on 25th July 2022, health experts believe the number will go down.
The anti-smoking vape law was introduced on 25th August 2016 as House Bill No. 3330 in the 17th Congress. The House Committee on Health, Trade, and Industry worked as a team to make it a reality. There were 3 public hearings and 7 technical working group meetings to make the Bill a law. The House Bill 9007 was approved on 25th May 2021 with 192 affirmatives, 34 negatives, and only 4 abstentions on the 3rd and final reading. On 14th December 2021, the Senate passed Senate Bill 2239 with 19 affirmative votes, 2 negatives, and 2 abstention votes. As per Section 27, Paragraph I, and Article VI of the Philippines constitution, the Bill was automatically passed into law.
Although scientific evidence shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, it also has side effects. Most people who vape also smoke, making it worse in the long run. The anti-smoking vape law will reduce the number of smokers or smoking-related deaths in the Philippines. The VNNP law will protect minors and non-smokers. It is difficult for minors to access vaping products because the law equalizes the minimum age for accessing vapes and cigarettes in the country. With such measures, adult smokers have better smoking alternatives. Since cigarette smoking is harmful and has serious side effects compared to vaping, an 18year-old who is legally allowed to buy cigarettes can opt for a better alternative. The VNNP law has protected minors by prohibiting their access or being lured into vaping products. In fact, the Bill has stiff penalties for anyone caught violating these prohibitions.
According to a survey conducted by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 23.8% of Filipino adults are smokers, with more than 18.1% averaging 11 cigarettes per day! The VNNP law bans the sale of high nicotine vape products (products with more than 65 mg/ml nicotine) because they are addictive and harmful. For a start, Filipino adult smokers will switch to a less harmful alternative reducing smoking-related diseases and deaths in the long run.
Unfortunately, it will not be easy because the Philippines has a low smoking quit rate of 4%. It might seem far-fetched, but the Philippines government has done a tremendous job of reducing smoking-related deaths. The anti-smoking vape law is a landmark achievement because it is the first comprehensive anti-smoking law passed in the country in decades. It indicates that the fight to eradicate the smoking epidemic is bearing fruits after all.
