The House of Representatives has approved at the committee level a bill regulating the manufacture, sale, and distribution of vapes, e-cigarettes, and other electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems.
Rep. Wes Gatchalian, chair of the trade and industry committee, said the approval of the joint committee report will now pave the way to curb the rampant proliferation of the illegal industry that sells ENDS, ENNDS, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) to minors even now when the country is reeling from a pandemic. He said lawfully-registered vape shops are losing revenue to an estimated 800 unregistered backyard stores.
“We would like to emphasize that this bill will serve to regulate, and not ban, the sale of these products,” Gatchalian said.
Since the products come in the form of electronic devices, Gatchalian said they will be regulated by the Department of Trade and Industry to protect consumers.
“Manufacturers of electrical devices intended to be used in combination with ENDS/ENNDS shall ensure that the devices they produce will comply with the applicable electrical safety standards set by the Bureau of Product Standards of the DTI,” he said.
Under the proposed measure, only persons aged 18 years old and above shall be allowed to purchase, sell, and use ENDS, ENNDS and HTPs. Moreover, Gatchalian said that the bill will also limit the flavors that entice minors to vape.