PINAPURIHAN ng isang Mindanao solon ang pagkakapasa ng bagong batas kaugnay sa vape o mas kilala bilang E-Cigarette bilang alternatibo sa tradisyunal na “nicotine cigarettes”.

Sinabi ni Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Chairman ng House Committee on Drugs at principal author ng House Bill No. 9007 na ngayo’y Republic Act No. 11900, na ang industriya ng “vaping” ay unti-unting umuunlad at lumalaki.

“Vaping is a fast growing industry and vape products have been prevalent in the country for years now. They were being sold in various forms and chemical combinations to any tom, Dick and Harry who has the money and the interest to try them,” sabi ni Barbers.

Gayunman, aminado si Barbers na sa kasalukuyan ay walang umiiral na batas para i-regulate ang paggamit ng “vape” sapagkat bukas vaping sa lahat ng indibiduwal kabilang na ang mga menor de edad at hindi naman ito saklaw ng umiiral na batas kaugnay sa “nicotine smoking”.

Ipinaliwanag pa ng kongresista na mahalaga para sa Kamara de Representantes na makapag-balangkas ng isang panukalang batas upang i-regulate ang importasyon, pag-manufacture, pagbebenta, packaging, distribution, advertisement at promition ng vape products.

“Congress deemed it necessarily to craft a law that will regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, advertisement and promotion of these products. Like all products that affect the health. The sale is now restricted against minors, meaning below 18 years old. This is standard provision worldwide,” sabi pa ni Barbers.