Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is pushing for stricter regulations on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) in the country to promote a healthy environment and protect the citizens from the harm caused by smoking.

In his manifestation during the Senate committee on trade hearing on Wednesday, Go said the unregulated use of vapes and e-cigarettes should not be allowed, as he noted how such products are easily accessible to minors.

He cited the 2018 National Enhanced Nutrition Survey showing that 19 percent of regular e-cigarette users are youth, aged 10 to 19 years old, which is way above the regular cigarette users among the youth at 6 percent.

“Maganda na mayroong mas mahigpit na regulasyon ang ating awtoridad na may kaugnayan sa lahat ng uri ng e-cigarettes. Suportado ko po ito — ang mga polisiya na naglalayong mas maprotektahan ang kalusugan ng ating mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng mas mahigpit na regulasyon (It is better for our authorities to impose stricter regulations on all kinds of e-cigarettes. I support it, the policies aim to protect our people’s health),” Go said.

Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health said this is not only a concern involving commercial regulation, but also a health issue.

He stressed the need for the stricter enforcement of regulations against products that may contain or emit potentially toxic substances or highly addictive substances which are harmful to the citizens’ health.

“As policymakers, we must strike a balance between regulating products that may be alternative to or less risky than traditional tobacco products and protecting public health, especially with the objective of preventing addiction among our youth,” he said.

He said even President Rodrigo Duterte has taken a public health stance on this issue, citing the issuance of Executive Order No. 106 which prohibits the manufacture, distribution, marketing, and sale of unregistered or adulterated electronic cigarettes, HTP, and other novel tobacco products.

Under EO 106, access to electronic cigarettes and HTP has been restricted to persons over 21 years of age. The use of e-cigarettes and HTP has also been included in the nationwide smoking ban.

“Kahit noong wala pang e-cigarette, inuuna na po talaga ni then Davao City mayor Duterte ang kalusugan ng kanyang constituents kaya, noon pa, mayroon nang mahigpit na (Even when there is still no e-cigarette, then Davao City mayor Duterte prioritized the health of his constituents, he was strict in imposing) Anti-Smoking Ordinance sa (in) Davao City,” he said.

He pointed out that Congress has also taken a position on the matter with the passage of the Sin Tax law for e-cigarettes.

“Nararapat lang po na pag-aralan po natin ito nang mabuti. Kaya po, (It is proper for us to study it carefully. That is why) the Committee on Health and its members will be involved and actively participate in the discussions on the matter. I am also sure that our good Chair, Sen. Recto, will consider all factors for us to be able to come up with a meaningful legislation,” he said. (PNA)