BAGUIO City Health officer Rowena Galpo reiterated the hazards of using vape and said the Department of Health (DOH) has issued warnings on the use and purchase of vape in the wake of two accidents involving the non-regulated device.

“Vaping in itself if harmful, there is no such thing as being less harmful because it contains nicotine and is a stepping stone to smoking,” Galpo said.

She said the Food and Drug Authority has no approval on any vape device in the country and warns the public on its health hazards as well as its electronic perils.

A proposed regulatory measure for vape products has passed its first reading in the local council by Councilor Joel Alangsab, author of the anti-smoking ordinance in the city.

Alangsab said the only concession feasible for vapers is to have a separate designated smoking area for them to avoid being mixed with tobacco smokers.

He nixed the proposed vape law saying it is asking for vape sellers to be exempt from the prescribed 100 meter radius of selling their products.

Vaporized Nicotine Product Systems [VNPS] or electronic cigarettes are battery operated devices which heat a solution to generate vapor which usually contain vegetable, glycerin, propylene glycol, flavorants and nicotine. It is commonly composed of an atomizer which heats the solution, a cartridge which serves as the solution carrier and a battery for power source.

Alangsab said claims vape leading to tobacco cessation have not been proven and can well lead to a continued addiction to smoking.

The proposed vape law also protects minors from purchasing and using the vape products but the lawmaker said vape should be regulated like cigarettes.

Vape advocates are asking the city through the local council to be exempted from the new law with these concessions: to exempt or exclude selling Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) or Vape 100 meters away from any point in the perimeter of schools, public playground or other facility frequented by minors, offices of the DOH and attached agencies, hospitals and health facilities.”

Another concession is to be allowed to have vape testing or vaping within store premises upon compliance with standard ventilation devices.

Alangsab added that the concessions given in the proposed vape law go against the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte as well as the anti-smoking law in the city.