CAPHRA Encourages Philippine President to Approve Safer Nicotine Alternatives

The Asia Pacific region's Coalition of Advocates for the Lessening of Tobacco Harm (CAPHRA), along with other groups advocating for tobacco harm reduction (THR), is calling on the outgoing President of the Philippines to approve legislation that would allow locals to have access to safer nicotine alternatives.

It is expected that internationally recognized standards will be employed to regulate the import, manufacture, sales, packaging, distribution, use, and consumption of electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), in order to protect citizens from harm caused by unregulated or substandard products.

Peter Dator, the president of consumers group Vapers PH and a member of CAPHRA, believes that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will sign the Vape Bill before his term ends.

A recent survey conducted by the Asian Research Network in the Philippines found that 90% of local smokers would support the use of safer nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes as part of a public health strategy to quit smoking.

A study conducted by ACORN Marketing and Research Consultants, commissioned by consumer advocacy group Vapers PH, has confirmed widespread public support for reducing the dangers of tobacco. ACORN stated that "the majority of people have a positive outlook and would consider switching to electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and hope for more opportunities to receive accurate information about these products.

Currently, the bill has been signed by both the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives and will be passed on to President Duterte. "It cannot be approved by President-elect Marcos. The bill must be submitted to the sitting president who has passed it through Congress. In this case, it is fortunate that President Duterte understands the implications. Almost 90,000 Filipinos die annually from smoking-related diseases, and his signature will save many in the future," said Mr. Dator.

For the Philippines, which has suffered from the terrible smoking epidemic for several decades, this will be a truly historic moment. Adopting a successful tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategy will put the Philippines in line with countries such as the UK, US, and New Zealand. This will bring positive publicity to our country and encourage other Asia-Pacific countries to do the right thing," he added.

Source: VapingPost