Published May 25, 2021, 5:16 PM
The House of Representatives on Monday approved with an overwhelming 192 affirmative votes, 34 negative and four abstentions on third and final reading a bill that seeks to regulate the manufacture, use, sale, packaging, distribution and communication of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS) or electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) in the Philippines.
Consumer groups and tobacco harm reduction advocates Vapers PH, Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) and Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) welcomed the passage of the landmark regulation as it will provide adults with a chance to choose less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.