Manila FDA will not register e-cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will not register e-cigarettes, as health products as these devices are against the intent of the country’s tobacco regulation law, according to a story on MB.com.ph, a Minilan news website.

In an advisory, FDA acting Director General Kenneth Hartigan-Go said e-cigarettes are “contrary to the intent and provisions of Republic Act No. 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.”

He said the law aims to protect the youth from nicotine addiction and chronic respiratory ailments including cancer that are caused by inhalation of highly toxic substances found in tobacco and cigarettes. “Wittingly or unwittingly, the electronic cigarette promotes smoking among children and the youth. It makes them less fearful of hazards and risks of smoking. It is opposed to the DOH health goal to stop cigarette smoking and tobacco use,” he said, adding that the FDA has not registered any e-cigarette products and will not register these as health products under the FDA Act of 2009.