Vaping Banned in Ph
Philippines – Vaping or the use of e-cigarette has been banned in the Philippines after first confirmed case of vape-related injury, November 2019.
The victim is a 16-year-old girl who started vaping in March. She acquired the electronic cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI), according to the Department of Health (DOH). From the reports, the girl used flavored liquid e-cigarettes daily for around three to four months and later combined this with regular cigarettes.
She was first treated by a pediatric pulmonologist, who reported the case to the DOH. The victim was rushed to the hospital few days later for a sudden shortness of breath. She was confined at the Intensive Care Unit and needed oxygen supplementation. She stopped smoking after she was discharged from the hospital.
The DOH and Food and Drugs Administration ordered all hospitals to report all e-cigarette/vaping-related injuries after the rise of EVALI cases in the United States.
Soon after the reported case, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a sweeping ban on vaping in public places. He called on the help of police and military to enforce the ban. But an executive order has yet to be drafted although there’s already an existing law that prohibits distribution of toxic materials in public places.
But a senator questioned as to whether vaping should be banned outright or be strictly regulated. She favored the latter as vaping helps tobacco smokers quit despite the e-cigarettes being associated to health risks. But she reiterated that health takes precedence over any economic or commercial interest. The Philippines has one of the strictest rules related to smoking in the region.
E-cigarette is a popular alternative to real cigarettes and it may or may not include nicotine. Although the level of toxicity may not be as high as an actual cigarette, it doesn’t eliminate the risk totally. And since the said alternative has already been banned in public, why then, can’t the distribution of real cigarettes which has already been proven to be fatal to health be stopped altogether?
Let’s talk:
- Do you know anyone who smokes or uses e-cigarettes? What’s your image on smokers?
- What do you know about e-cigarettes or vapes?
- Have you ever smoked or tried smoking? How was your experience? If not, why?
- Some smokers claim they quit by going ‘cold turkey’. Do you think it’s possible? What makes it difficult for smokers to quit the vice?
- Why do you think cigarettes and alcohol are still marketed worldwide? What do you think can be done to lessen the number of smokers?
