On Monday July 25th, the much disputed Vape Bill proposed for the Philippines was finally enacted into law, regulating the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaping and heated tobacco products.

The Philippines Vape Bill is a reconciled version of Senate Bill 2239 or the ‘Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act’ which aims aims to regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and consumption of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) using internationally-accepted standards to protect citizens from the hazards of regulated, unregulated and substandard products, and House Bill 9007 or the ‘Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act.’

A recent survey conducted in the Philippines by an Asian research network, found that nine out of ten, or 90%, of local smokers are in support of a public health strategy that endorses the use of safer nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.

Conducted by ACORN Marketing & Research Consultants and commissioned by consumer advocacy group Vapers PH, the study confirmed the wide public support for tobacco harm reduction. “Majority have positive perception, would consider switching to e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and would like to have greater access to accurate information about these products,” said ACORN. Thankfully, the enactment of this bill means that the products are now legal and regulated.

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