LOCAL vaping groups are calling on the adoption of the same approach in tackling tobacco use in the United Kingdom, wherein the Parliament’s report urges the government to relax regulations on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).
“E-cigarettes are helping many people in the UK quit smoking. The government should seriously consider the UK tobacco control model in order to reduce the harms caused by conventional cigarettes to Filipino smokers,” said Peter Paul Dator, president of The Vapers Philippines.
On the other hand, Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association President Joey Dulay said that the Philippines will remain a backwater country in the area of tobacco harm mitigation had the Department of Health continued its ill-informed and myopic position on e-cigarettes.
“It’s high time that the Department of Health take its cue from the UK and other countries that have acknowledged the growing body of scientific evidence supporting e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction,” he said during a forum held in Quezon City last week.
The UK approach
E-CIGARETTES should not be treated in the same way as conventional cigarettes, concluded the report titled “E-cigarettes” published recently by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. The study noted that e-cigarettes are 95 percent less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
The UK government clearly stated in its Tobacco Control Plan 2017-2022 the intention to support consumers in ceasing smoking and adopting the use of less harmful nicotine products, particularly e-cigarettes.
But the parliamentary report pointed out that, “e-cigarettes…are too often being overlooked as a stop smoking tool by the NHS [National Health Service, the UK public healthcare system]. Regulations should be relaxed relating to e-cigarettes’ licensing, prescribing and advertising of their health benefits. Their level of taxation and use in public places must be reconsidered.”
Based on the study, about 2.9 million people in the UK are now using e-cigarettes, with an estimated 470,000 using e-cigarettes as a stop smoking tool and, as a result, tens of thousands successfully quitting smoking annually.
The report urged the UK government to consider risk-based regulation to allow more freedom to advertise e-cigarettes as the relatively less harmful choice, and give financial incentives, in the form of lower levels of taxation, for smokers to switch from conventional cigarettes to less harmful alternatives such as e-cigarettes.
It also said that the risk of continuing to use conventional cigarettes is greater than the uncertainty over the long-term use of e-cigarettes. The report encouraged the UK government to support independent long-term research on e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products.
The latter pertains to goods that only heat tobacco, which generates a flavorful nicotine-containing vapor. Since the tobacco is not burned, the levels of harmful chemicals produced are significantly lower compared to combustible cigarette smoke.
In the report, member of Parliament and chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, Norman Lamb, called on businesses, transport providers and administrators of public places to stop viewing conventional and e-cigarettes as one and the same. He said: “There is no public health rationale for doing so.”
The study suggested a wider debate on how e-cigarettes are to be dealt with in public places to help identify solutions that at least start from the evidence rather than misconceptions about their health impacts.
Lamb pointed out that there is no evidence to support that e-cigarettes are a gateway to conventional smoking, including for young nonsmokers. If used correctly, e-cigarettes could be a key weapon in the NHS stop smoking arsenal, he said.
“E-cigarettes are a proven stop smoking tool and, while uncertainties undoubtedly remain about their long-term health impact, failing to explore the use of e-cigarettes could lead to the continued use of conventional cigarettes, which currently kill around 79,000 people in England every year,” Lamb said.
According to him, medically licensed e-cigarettes would make it easier for doctors to discuss and recommend them as a stop smoking. He recommended an urgent review of current approval systems for prescribing e-cigarettes.
The “E-cigarettes” report is based on around 100 pieces of written evidence and five oral evidence sessions with expert witnesses. While it does not set official policy, the UK government must publicly explain in writing if it refuses to follow the report’s recommendations.
Smoking ban in PHL
WHILE a relax position on e-cigarettes remain an uphill battle for the vaping society here, national and local “smoke-free” initiatives have been already put in place in the Philippines.
President Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) 26, otherwise known as the Nationwide Smoking Ban. In response to this, the Manila and Muntinlupa LGUs are among the first cities in the National Capital Region to pass their respective local ordinances.
Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada green lighted City Ordinance 7812, which slaps offenders of up to P5,000 fine and three-day imprisonment. Per this policy, smoking is prohibited in government offices, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, enclosed and other public places.
On the other hand, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi passed and now implements Ordinance 17-072 or the Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance of the City of Muntinlupa. Under Section 5 of this anti-smoking rule, the use and distribution of cigarette and tobacco products are prohibited in the city.
The following acts, per Section 5, are declared unlawful and prohibited: Smoking or vaping in enclosed or partially enclosed public places, workplaces, public conveyances (whether mobile or stationary), except in designated smoking areas duly approved and fully compliant with the requirements set by the City Health Office.
As of August 2018, Muntinlupa Smoke-Free Task Force (SFTF) recorded 1,504 individuals violating the city ordinance and confiscated 459 cigarette packs from ambulant vendors. Violators caught smoking or vaping in public places were charged with a fine of P500 to P5,000 and two to 14 hours community service. Penalty tickets were given by members of SFTF.
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