Vapers in the Philippines supported a recent policy paper from the US Food and Drugs Administration stating that nicotine, although not totally risk free, is not directly responsible for fatal lung and heart diseases.
The US FDA, in a recently published Strategic Policy Roadmap, said “it is the other chemical compounds in tobacco, and in the smoke created by setting tobacco on fire, that directly and primarily cause the illness and death – not the nicotine. As FDA moves forward with its comprehensive new approach, the agency must also take a fresh look at products that can delivery satisfying levels of nicotine to adults who want access to it without burning tobacco.”
Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is increasingly getting popular in the Philippines. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine through liquid heated in a device that releases vapor or aerosol. Unlike smoking, there is no burning of tobacco and no smoke released.
“By following the evidence and adopting this new policy direction, the US FDA joins the growing number of governments that are adopting the use of less harmful nicotine products, particularly e-cigarettes, as part of their national tobacco control program,” said Tom Pinlac, president of The Vapers Philippines.
“Kudos to the US FDA for keeping an open mind and objectively considering the scientific evidence showing e-cigarettes are a less harmful alternative to tobacco and a viable smoking cessation tool,” said Edward Gatchalian, president of the Philippine E-liquids Manufacturers Association and HS Liquids Inc.
Gatchalian said “nicotine is the addictive chemical in cigarettes that makes people hooked to smoking, but it is the toxic gases in cigarette tar that kills smokers.
He said electronic nicotine delivery systems, including electronic cigarettes, are new technologies designed to slowly curb nicotine dependency without the tar and other harmful substances contained in cigarette smoke.
“Unlike tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes has absolute zero tar and and doesn’t produce first and second hand smoke. Its purely water vapor and woody, fruity or pastry scent,” Gatchalian said.