Former DOH heads back calls to ban vape
Seven former Philippine health secretaries support the DOH's call for a total ban on vaping, citing its harmful health effects.Summary
Seven former Secretaries of the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines have voiced their support for a complete ban on vaping in the country. They echoed Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s description of vape products as “poison” and urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congress to enact legislation prohibiting their sale and use. The former health chiefs argued that regulation has proven ineffective in curbing the proliferation of vapes and nicotine addiction among young people. They refuted claims by the tobacco industry regarding the safety of vapes compared to traditional cigarettes, stating that vapes are more addictive due to their higher nicotine concentration and efficient delivery mechanisms, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and lung illnesses. They also highlighted that the Philippines is falling behind its ASEAN neighbors, eight of which have already implemented total vape bans, and expressed concern about becoming a dumping ground for rejected vape products.
(Source：SunStar Publishing Inc.)
