“It is imperative that everyone in the vape industry must comply with the requirements of the law.”
EARLIER this year, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa warned the public against use of electronic cigarettes and other vape products as they might cause severe health risks.
“E-cigarettes and vaping are not a safe alternative to smoking. Usok pa rin ‘yan,” Health Secretary Herbosa was quoted as saying in a statement.
In issuing the warning, Herbosa specifically cited the case documented by Dr. Margarita Isabel Fernandez and published in the Respirology Case Reports Journal.
It was about a 22-year-old Filipino male with no prior health issues who reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack, following severe lung injury, possibly attributed to his daily vape use.
Fernandez said the patient developed a serious lung condition which she coined as e-cigarette or vaping-use associated lung injury (EVALI).
To recall, Herbosa in March this year also asked the help of the Philippine National Police to ensure that the specific provision of the Republic Act (RA) 11900 relating to the prohibition of selling vapes to people below 18 years old is strictly implemented.
Fake Vapes
That case of a young man who apparently died while using a counterfeit vape product should prod our authorities all the more, to run after and prosecute those traders who were smuggling counterfeit vapes into the country.
RA 11900, which was enacted into law in 2022, was designed to regulate the importation, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco products which includes e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
As a relatively “safer” alternative to traditional tobacco, vapes were designed to help people reduce their dependence on nicotine and make it easier for smokers to quit smoking.
However, with the rapid development of the vape market in recent years, especially the proliferation of illegal and inferior vapes, this original intention can’t be realized without overcoming severe challenges.
As China continues its high-pressure crackdown on production and sale of illegal vapes, more and more manufacturers are beginning to seek overseas orders, especially in Southeast Asian markets.
And among these countries is the Philippines which has one of the fastest growing markets in Asia.
$2-B Market
Data shows that, between 2019 and 2023, the sales volume of the vape market in the Philippines has grown rapidly to about US$2 billion.
According to a study, more than 50 million illegal vapes made their way into the Philippine market in the first half of 2024 alone, spearheaded by brands such as SHFT, Flare (formerly Flava), Aerogin and Black Elite.
Together, they reportedly dump more than 10 million illegal vapes into the Philippine market every month.
These subpar vape products, which have not been legally certified, are flooding the market at an alarming rate, seriously threatening the health of consumers.
Among these products that have evaded due legal supervision, more than 90% have not been tested as required.
Their unknown composition of various raw materials and the content of added ingredients pose a serious threat to the health of users.
It was gathered that as of the end of August, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has already seized P6.5 billion worth of illegal vape products, mostly from China, according to Customs Intelligence Division Chief Leon P. Mogao.
For his part, Minimal Government Thinkers President Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr. said that the government loses around P5 billion yearly from illicit vape products.
Their group expects the situation to worsen in the coming months amid the emergence of various forms of smuggling.
Oplas added the government could lose around P10 billion in taxes every year due to smuggling of fake vape products.
To avert the smuggling of illegal and fake vape products, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. has instructed his people all over the country to launch a crackdown against suspected illegal suppliers.
Lumagui said: “The illicit vape industry has been repeatedly warned to comply with BIR regulations. Despite multiple chances, they refuse to follow the law. The BIR will proceed with the full deployment of enforcement activities against illicit vape retailers and resellers. Expect regular raids. Expect criminal cases (to be filed).”
Reverse Effects
According to a study, after long-term use of illegal and fake vape products, the harmful substances within would lead to chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, and even lung cancer and other acute health problems.
What is more worrying is that illegal and inferior vapes not only pose a direct threat to the health of users, but may also lead to reverse effects, making it harder to quit smoking.
Users who try to quit smoking would return to traditional tobacco, increasing the risk of smoking and more serious health conditions among users.
Health Hazards
The specific health hazards of the regular use of illegal vape products include respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, poisoning, cancer risk, acute lung injury and addiction.
In the face of all these, the Philippine government has taken a series of measures, such as strengthening market supervision and legislative management.
However, as these illegal brands operate and circulate their products in a covert way, and with support from the political “umbrella” behind them, it is difficult to completely eradicate their smuggling.
According to data from the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, as of October 2024, the government has investigated and raided 506 illegal vape retailers and resellers, but most black-market transactions are still booming as new illegal brands spring up.
SafeVape PH
It is good that some groups like SafeVape PH are advocating for safe use of vape products by seeing to it that only duly-licensed products are being sold in the market.
SafeVape PH stresses that it is imperative that everyone in the vape industry must comply with the requirements of the law to ensure the health and safety of the general public, especially their clients who are mostly young people.
It also advocates for transparency and accountability while also supporting educational campaigns to inform the public about the risks and benefits of vaping, product safety, and responsible usage.
Indeed, the public needs to be more discerning because it seems like some dubious groups were using smoke and mirrors to hide the truth, and flood the market with unsafe and fake vape products.
Mr. Liu is an owner of an e-cigarette store, and a social media influencer in the e-cigarette industry, with six years of experience in the e-cigarette sector.
