The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday vowed to monitor companies that market vapes as a “healthy alternative” to nicotine.
In a statement Wednesday, DOH said it has received support from Congress in its efforts to condemn and regulate companies using such claims as a marketing strategy for their vape products.
“Definitely, we don’t consider these kinds of products as a healthier option or quote-unquote alternative,” said Tina Marasigan, Director IV of the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB), during a congressional hearing on Monday.
“And we have been consistently communicating in the DOH and also at the level of the World Health Organization that it is a marketing strategy,” she added.
DOH also rejected the use of the term “tobacco alternative,” noting that vape products can also damage the lungs.
“We are debunking the use of that term that is being used by marketing firms. It is not acceptable,” Marasigan said.
IloIlo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin called for companies using such tactics to be penalized.
“It is quite misleading, especially to the younger children. Kasi nga ang akala nila, wala siya[ng nicotine]. (Because they think it does not have [nicotine].) It’s a healthy alternative, when in fact we now have EVALI,” she said.
E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) is linked to significant health risks caused by vaping products.
In the Philippines, at least one death—a 22-year-old male—has been associated with consistent use of e-cigarettes.
Garin noted that most EVALI patients are aged 15 to 30.
“Ito yung naging epekto sa baga ng mga taong nagsigarilyo na gumamit ng e-cigarette at vape. Kaya akala nung una, healthy alternative siya,” she said.
(This is what happens to the lungs of people who smoke e-cigarettes or vape. That is why at first, people thought it was a healthy alternative.)
“But the data that’s being shown globally now is that it’s more harmful and that can be displayed by the occurrence of the new illness termed EVALI… Masakit, pangit, butas-butas, at talagang nakakamatay siya (It’s painful, it’s ugly, it’s damaging, and it really kills),” Garin added.—MCG, GMA Integrated News
