E-cigarettes in Philippines

Philippines: The first set of graphic health warning templates for electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco enters into force today. The templates are valid for a period of two years.

Philippines: Candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is on the cusp of winning the presidential election, has previously opposed tobacco taxes, claiming they would slow down activities for producers, manufacturers and sellers. His sister, senator Imee Marcos, also opposed taxing e-cigs and heated tobacco in 2019. Official vote counting started today and is expected to go on for a few days, despite already showing Marcos with a commanding vote margin.

Philippines: The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated its call for president Rodrigo Duterte to veto the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulations Act, press report. According to the authority, the approval of the bill is contrary to the president's position to protect the public from the effects of smoking and goes against the already existing laws. The bill was approved by the Senate and House of Representatives in January and is now waiting for the president’s signature.

Philippines: The Department of Education has backed the Department of Health in appealing to president Rodrigo Duterte to veto the proposed Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act. According to the department, the bill weakens the existing laws on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, especially when lowering the restriction age from 21 to 18. The bill was approved by the Senate and House of Representatives in January and is now waiting for the president’s signature.