THE Senate approved on third and final reading the so-called “Vape Bill” or the proposed “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Act.”
The bill seeks for the regulation on importation, manufacture, sale, distribution and use of vape.
A total of 19 senators voted in favor of the bill, Senators Pia Cayetano and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan voted against, while Senators Bong Go and Manny Pacquiao abstained.
Under the proposed measure, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will set the product standards and will implement regulations with regard to the trading of vape.
The bill said that vape will not be sold to individuals below 18 years old.
The proposal of Cayetano to let the Food and Drug Administration be in charge of the sale of vape and to increase the minimum age of buying vape to 21 years old both lost during the voting.
During the debate, some senators argued that it will be awkward that only those 21 years old and above will be allowed to buy vape while 18-year-olds are already allowed to buy cigarettes or even drink alcoholic beverages.
Aside from these provisions, physical and online retailers and distributors of vape were asked to register with the DTI and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Also ordered were the placement of graphic health warnings in vape containers and that it is not to be sold within 100 meters from schools and playgrounds.
Retail stores are also ordered to place notices that vapes are not to be sold to individuals 18 years old and below because it is bad for their health.
Also forbidden is the use of celebrities and social media influencers in advertisements about vape products