Villanueva wants Vape Act reviewed
SEN. Joel Villanueva yesterday called for a review of RA 11990 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act so the use of vape products would be regulated by the Food and Drugs Administration and not by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Villanueva said the death of a 22-year-old man due to vaping is alarming since the victim had no prior health issues.
He said that although RA 11990 was just signed into law in 2022, there is an urgent need to review it due to the rise in the number of vape-related health issues, citing data from the US that at least 3,000 individuals have been hospitalized, 68 of whom died, due to vaping.
He also said that studies showed that one out of seven Filipino youths aged 13 to 15 are also into vaping.
During the plenary deliberations on the passage of the measure, Villanueva said he wanted the FDA to take the lead in regulating vape products since their use is of health concern.
“I voted for the FDA to look into it and be the one to regulate it.
There is something wrong with the execution or implementation of this law. It has to be the FDA, not the DTI,” he said.
He said the use of vaping products has been encouraged among the youth by the use of attractive packaging, while its sale within 100 or 200 meters away from schools is not being fully implemented.
He said another way of enticing the youth to use vape products is through “promo girls.”
He said the DTI has a low batting average when it comes to raiding illegal vape stores which should be immediately addressed.
Villanueva said he has talked with several DTI personnel who said they are hesitant to implement the law since it concerns health matters.
Last week, the Department of Health reported the first death in the country due to vaping.
It said the victim died of heart failure due to injuries on his lungs brought about by two years of vaping.
The DOH also said that the victim has no history of cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, or illegal drugs use, nor was he infected with COVID-19.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said his office has received reports that liquid shabu and other addictive
