President Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered a ban on the importation, and use of electronic cigarettes or vapes in public.
The negative health impacts of vaping were the primary reasons why the President ordered the ban.
Food and Drug Administration – Philippines expressed that vaping is not a proven nicotine replacement therapy and can cause lung illnesses.
DOH also confirmed the first case of vape-related illness – a vaping-associated lung injury in Central Visayas.
Around 1 million Filipinos use e-cigarettes, the DOH said.
In the USA, more than 2,000 cases of vaping-linked illnesses were recorded as of November 13, with at least 42 deaths in 24 states.
One of the reported deaths involved a 17-year old male from New York.
Florante Trinidad, WHO Tobacco Free Initiative Officer recommended the conduct of more studies to make sure that e-cigarettes are safe.
The fact will still remain, he added, that smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke can still lead to a number of tobacco-related diseases and death.
The first e-cigarette was introduced by a Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik in the year 2000, and became famous first in Europe.
