Philippines Set to Change, Lessen Vapor Regulations

The Philippines House of Representatives passed today on second reading a bill that would lower the minimum age to buy and use e-cigarettes and other vapor products from 21 to 18 years old. This is after the country’s Congress previously passed Republic Act No. 11467, which imposed taxes on vapes and e-cigarettes and set the age to purchase at 21. Less than two years ago, the country banned vaping entirely.

The previously passed law also banned the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes to nonsmokers and prohibited flavorings, according to philstar.com. The new proposal, which is just a step away from clearing the House, largely loosens the restrictions put in place by the current law. While all but tobacco flavorings are currently banned, the new bill allows for “plain fruit flavors, nuts, coffee, tea, vanilla, caramel, tobacco, menthol and mint.”

The latest bill would also take away from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate e-cigarettes and vapor products and transfers it to the Department of Trade and Industry, as proponents argued that these are not health products. The bill also allows the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes online, provided that the website will restrict access to those below 18 years old and will display signages required by the proposal.

The latest bill also includes language to allow the advertisement of vapes and e-cigarettes in retail establishments, through direct marketing and on the internet, although it qualified that these ads must not be targeted to minors, must not undermine quit-smoking messages and should not encourage non-smokers to use them.

The new measure also prohibits the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes within 100 meters from a school, playground or other facility frequented by minors and bans the use of vapor products and e-cigarettes in all enclosed public places except in designated vaping areas.