Study: 9 of 10 Filipinos Support Proposed Vape Bill

A consumer study shows that 9 out of 10 smokers in the Philippines support the enactment of the proposed vaping bill. The study’s respondants believe that the government should enact policies to encourage adult smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes while also ensuring these products are not used by minors.

The Senate and House of Representatives approved in 2021 their respective versions of the measure, according to the Manila Times. The House of Representatives on May 25, 2021 approved its own version of the measure — House Bill (HB) 9007 or the “Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act.”

SB 2239 and HB 9007 will be reconciled by a bicameral conference committee and ratified by the two chambers when sessions resume after the holidays. The reconciled bill will then be submitted to the President for his approval and signature. If Duterte signs the bill into law, the Vaporized Nicotine Products Bill will regulate e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs) and other vaporized nicotine products while ensuring that they contribute to government revenues.

The study was conducted by Acorn Marketing and Research Consultants and commissioned by consumer advocacy group Vapers PH in August 2021. Acorn is the largest independent Asian research network with offices in 11 Asian countries including the Philippines. The survey had a sample size of 2,000 legal-age smokers. Results of the survey showed that 90 percent of the respondents believe that the government should come up with new ways to reduce the harm caused by smoking cigarettes.

Intended to help adult smokers quit cigarettes, the bill has strong measures intended to protect minors from accessing and consuming the device.