The Senate on Thursday approved on its third and final reading the controversial bill that regulates the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes or vaping products.
Voting 19-22, with 2 abstentions, Senate Bill No. 2239 sets restrictions to the use and sale of vaporized nicotine products (VNP), including an age limit for its users.
The approved version of the bill lowers the minimum age of allowed users from 21 years old to 18 and takes vape products away from the regulatory powers of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and into the ambit of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Under SB 2239, minors are not allowed to buy vaporized nicotine products and retailers should verify the age of the buyers by presenting a valid ID during the transaction.
This also applies to the online sales of the vape products where the age verification will be done upon the delivery of the products.
Sen. Pia Cayetano, one of the senators who voted against the bill, pushed for the FDA’s regulation of vape products. However, the senators voted against her proposal.
According to a Pulse Asia survey, four percent of Filipinos use vape products.
