An end to the smoking epidemic – Part 3

Exactly one month ago (to the date of this writing), the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, also known as the Vape Law, lapsed into law. As I’ve mentioned in the previous part of this now three-part series, I firmly believe that this law is a huge step in ending the smoking epidemic in the Philippines. At its very core, the law provides an accessible alternative to smokers who want to quit, rather than going “cold turkey.” Based on the experiences of many of my friends, a full and abrupt stop to a years-long habit poses a huge mental challenge.

The Vape Law covers all the bases to ensure that these vapes are used only by people who are of age, or those who are really looking to quit smoking. I especially applaud the reconsideration to bring back flavors to the products. At least this alternative to smoking is made more enjoyable so it would seem less like a chore for smokers to use vapes as a rehabilitation tool. I also like how the law, by restricting the flavor descriptors to be less marketable to young people, tempers its own reconsideration with reasonable conditions. It just shows how well thought out the Vape Law is.

The law also tasks different government agencies to work together to verify that the products hitting the market are safe and of good quality. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be the ones to establish technical standards for the security, reliability and quality of vape products. On the other hand, the Department of Health (DOH) will be setting the standards for information and advertising campaigns to ensure that everyone is educated about the risks of smoking and vaping, and to ascertain that said campaigns will appeal only to the intended mature market.

Speaking of the DOH, it has been known that the agency and some concerned groups have resisted the passing of the then-Vape Bill with calls for a veto. I understand their concern, most of which likely stem from the DTI looking to be the lead implementing agency. However, it is as much a trade concern as it is a health concern, because (I believe) the main issue to be tackled is the regulation of the products’ content and quality, and access to the product – an area which the DTI is more equipped to handle. Besides, the DOH has many other health-related public concerns to address, so having the DTI take the lead will relieve them of some burden. Regardless, now that the bill is indeed a law, we hope that they will apply the same fervor in this important duty imposed on them by the Vape Law.

Even the vape industry is enthusiastic about and more than willing to comply with the Vape Law. Recently, the Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) congratulated the Government for the passage of the Vape Bill. Apart from the usual messages of praise, they also expressed support for and compliance with the provisions of the law. “The success of the law also primarily rests on the due compliance of the industry… PECIA advises all its members and the industry to strictly comply with the provisions of [the Vape Law] and tax regulations to avoid any unnecessary disruption to your business operations, payment of fines and imposition of penalties, including imprisonment,” said PECIA president Joey Dulay in a statement.

We’re all hoping that the industry and all the government agencies concerned will work together harmoniously to help in the success of this piece of legislation. After all, we all want the same thing: an end to the smoking epidemic.

With the law in place, we can already foresee a future wherein many suffering smokers can rely on alternatives such as vapes to rehabilitate them out of the habit. For now, we can end this trilogy while we wait for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law. Will there be a second trilogy for this ala Star Wars? Time will tell.