Mas mahigpit na aksyon laban sa iligal na vape, isinusulong kasabay ng balanseng regulasyon

ni Chit Luna @News | June 9, 2026

Photo: File

Nanawagan ang mga eksperto sa pampublikong kalusugan ng paggamit ng siyentipikong ebidensya sa paghubog ng mga polisiya sa vape habang pinag-aaralan ng Senado ang mga panukalang pagbabago sa Republic Act No. 11900 o Vape Law.

Sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Health and Demography at Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, binigyang-diin ng mga resource person ang kahalagahan ng pagpigil sa pag-access ng kabataan sa vape habang pinananatili ang reguladong access para sa mga adultong naninigarilyo.

“In reality your honors, at the heart of this discussion are not products, but people,” ani Quit for Good president Dr. Lorenzo Mata.

Ayon kay Mata, dapat tingnan ang mga smoke-free products kaugnay ng patuloy na paninigarilyo ng mga adult smokers na hindi ganap na makaiwas sa nicotine.

“Let me be clear: these products are not risk-free, and they are not for youth or non-smokers. These products are meant for adult smokers. That is why regulation is critical,” he said.

Ipinunto rin niya ang resulta ng isang pag-aaral noong 2025 tungkol sa heated tobacco products.

“This study published in 2025, is a comparative study of heated tobacco products versus conventional cigarette smoke and shows that ‘burning’ causes the release of toxic compounds produced by high-temperature pyrolysis. Concentrations of harmful compounds decreased by up to 91.6%, confirming the reduction of levels of various known toxic and carcinogenic chemical components in the shift from cigarettes to smoke-free products,” he said.

Dagdag pa niya, mahalaga ang mga pananggalang laban sa paggamit ng kabataan.

“Strong safeguards, such as age restrictions, product standards, and enforcement, can help protect the youth while ensuring adult smokers have access to smoke-free products,” he said.

Samantala, nagbabala si Professor Michael Eric Castillo ng CAPS and Partners laban sa mga panukalang maaaring mahirap ipatupad.

“Implementation (of the proposed bill) is administratively heavy and unevenly enforceable, increasing the risk of selective enforcement,” Castillo said.

Aniya, ang sobrang paghihigpit sa mga reguladong alternatibo ay maaaring magbunga ng hindi inaasahang epekto at magtulak sa mga mamimili na lumipat sa iligal na merkado.

“My worry, Your Honor, is that (the proposed bill) may undermine its own health objectives,” he said.