Taguig–Pateros 1st district Representative Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday extended his gratitude to the Department of Education (DepEd) for urging President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the vape bill.
In a statement on Thursday, DepEd said that it is one with the Department of Health and medical organizations calling for the veto of the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which was passed by Senate on the third and final reading in December 2021.
"As a government institution championing young Filipinos' well-being, we are taking a stand against the so-called 'anti-health' vape bill, which will weaken existing law and the executive order against Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems commonly known as e-cigarettes or 'vapes,'" said DepEd in a statement.
According to DepEd, the passing of the bill will "erode the important provisions" of Republic Act No. 11467 and Executive Order No. 106, which the department said already regulate electronic nicotine/non-nicotine delivery systems, heated tobacco products, and other novel tobacco items.
"As we continue to implement a comprehensive tobacco control program in schools to safeguard the health of learners, DepEd is hopeful that our leaders and legislators will constantly champion a healthy lifestyle among our youth," said DepEd.
In an interview DZRH on Monday, Cayetano, a staunch opposition of the vape bill, thanked DepEd for its statement, while calling on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to stand up against the bill.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa DepEd at sana ang CHED magsalita na," he said.
(I would like to thank DepEd, and I hope CHED speaks up.)
"Sang-ayon akong i-veto 'to tapos pagandahin na lang natin ang bill para protektahan talaga natin ang ating mga kababayan," he added.
(I agree that the bill needs to be vetoed, and then let us just improve it to really protect our countrymen.)
Cayetano, who is also running for Senator, has previously criticized the proposed legislation for lowering the age access restriction from 21 to 18 years old. He also echoed the health authorities in saying that vape and e-cigarette are only "less unhealthy" when compared to cigarettes.
