Philippine Senators Urge Stronger Regulations on E-Cigarettes.

According to local media reports, Filipino senators are urging the legislative body to implement a "four-step approach" policy to strengthen regulation of electronic cigarettes and protect young people. These four policies include:

The legal age for purchasing electronic cigarettes has been raised from 18 to 25 years old.

2. Electronic cigarette product packaging is becoming more simplistic.

Issuing a ban on certain flavors.

Restrictions on the online sale of electronic cigarettes.

Increase the tax on electronic cigarettes.

Ulysses Dorotheo, a lawmaker and executive director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, shared his opinion on e-cigarette regulation during a hearing last Friday with the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovation, and Futures Thinking. According to Dorotheo, a permanent ban on e-cigarettes would be the "long-term ideal outcome.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (PH FDA) expressed its support for the recommendation regarding Ulysses.

During a Senate committee hearing chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano, the Philippine FDA expressed its desire for the Department of Trade and Industry to transfer regulatory authority over electronic cigarettes to them.

The committee led by Cayetano is currently investigating companies or businesses suspected of violating regulations by selling electronic cigarette products packaged to target young people.

On February 1st, the Philippine Tobacco Industry Association (PTI) called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to crack down on illegal electronic cigarette products in order to regulate the import, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and dissemination of electronic cigarette products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Will the Philippines now enter into an era of strict regulation? 2FIRSTS will continue to track this topic, stay tuned.