THE Baguio City Health Department is alerting residents of Baguio particularly vape users after eighteen electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes laced with marijuana oil were seized at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week.
One of the seized package was named to an individual residing in the Summer Capital.
City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Dr. Donnabel Tuvera reiterated the use of e-cigarettes laced with marijuana oil similar to what was seized at NAIA can also be used in the illegal drugs trade.
"The seizure of the marijuana oil laced e-cigarette is very timely because this may also be used for other forms of illegal drugs. At least this would serve as way on how the PDEA and the police can now physically check e-cigarettes and vapes if these are being used with illegal drugs," Tuvera explained.
The seizure came after authorities received a tip from the United States (US) Drug Enforcement Agency about the package containing the contraband worth P300,000.
In the underground market, this kind of e-cigarettes is being priced at P20,000.
Tuvera hopes law enforcers can conduct a ‘Tokhang style’ in checking e-cigarettes and vapes to ensure non-use of illegal drugs.
Health officials in the United States believe creative smokers are using the devices to smoke marijuana undetected.
Cannabis, in liquid or wax forms, does not emit the pungent odor than the marijuana smoked in plant-form, making it easy to use the drug with the discreet gadget.
Meanwhile, Tuvera received information from Baguio City Representative Marquez Go the bill which would regulate the use of vape products is already up for first reading in the Congress.
"I fully support this move of congress since there have been no proof the number of smokers have decrease due to their use of vapes and e-cigarettes as an alternative. In fact, the number of smokers have even increased," said the health officer.
Tuvera reiterated aside from the World Health Organizations findings the use of vape is harmful to one’s health, no clearance for its use was given by the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines.