A recent e-cigarette poll in the Philippines has attracted attention, showing that 94 percent of filipinos agree that the government should regulate e-cigarettes properly and encourage smokers to switch to harmful products such as e-cigarettes.
The survey of 2,000 Adult Smokers in the Philippines also showed that 72 percent of smokers believe harm reduction products such as e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to cigarettes, and 88 percent would consider switching to e-cigarettes. Nearly 90 percent said flavored e-cigarettes should be allowed as long as they are not marketed to nonsmokers or teens.
Reports say a law to regulate e-cigarettes in the Philippines could protect 16 million smokers from the dangers of tobacco.
About 90,000 people die from smoking in the Philippines each year, and more than 76 percent of smokers want to quit, but only 4 percent succeed, according to the Daily Inquirer, a mainstream Philippine newspaper. The Philippine medical community's recognition of e-cigarettes' potential to stop smoking and reduce harm has certainly given many people hope.
Not only the general public, but also Philippine politicians and businessmen are making every effort to educate the public about the positive effects of e-cigarettes. For example, Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte, vice mayor of Davao City in the Philippines, and Isko Moreno, mayor and presidential candidate of Manila, are among those who have themselves given up smoking by switching to e-cigarettes.
At present, the Philippines is considering reasonable regulation of e-cigarettes and regulating the e-cigarette industry to ensure that more smokers use safe e-cigarettes to reduce harm. Joaqui Gallardo, spokesman for Vaper AKO, a Philippine advocacy group for consumers of E-cigarettes, said: "We have to admit that it is a more scientific way to control smoking to recommend harmful products such as e-cigarettes to smokers. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand have all done a good scientific study on e-cigarettes before finally adopting them."
In December 2021, the Philippine Senate approved a bill to regulate e-cigarettes and sent it to the president for his signature. While regulating the production and sale of nicotine products, the law also further emphasizes the protection of minors, such as banning the sale, promotion and promotion of e-cigarette products within 100 meters of schools and playgrounds.
It's worth noting that Philippine Senate President Vicente Sotto III is a staunch supporter of the bill because his brother quit smoking successfully by switching to harm reduction products such as e-cigarettes. According to the Daily Inquirer, the bill, if passed, would help 16 million smokers avoid the dangers of tobacco.