NANAWAGAN ang Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines at EcoWaste Coalition ng ban sa e-cigarettes at heated tobacco products upang maiwasan umano ang bagong epidemic ng nicotine addiction.
Sa isang pahayag, sinuportahan ng dalawang grupo ang International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) na ipagbawal ang e-cigarette at heated tobacco products.
“As these products do not have extensive evidence to back up claims on efficacy and safety, we encourage the government to be cautious in drafting policies on this subject. We wish them to always prioritize health over any other interests. If we really want to provide maximum protection to Filipinos’ health, banning these products is still the best option,” ani ASH Philippines Executive Director and Pulmonologist Dr. Maricar Limpin.
Bukod sa panganib sa kalusugan, sinabi ng EcoWaste na may masamang epekto rin ito sa kalusugan.
“Aside from nicotine, these products may contain toxic chemicals and can potentially leak heavy metals into the environment. As such, they may be qualified as both e-waste and biohazard waste. We already have issues in terms of conventional cigarette butts as the most visible toxic litter in our surroundings, we are expecting that the disposal of e-cigarettes along with its components is another environmental health hazard,” ani Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner ng EcoWaste.
Nagbabala ang The Union sa mga gumagawa ng batas kaugnay ng e-cigarette na maaaring magresulta sa paglaki ng populasyon ng nicotine users.
“Even if it is marketed as a safer alternative that has fewer toxins compared to traditional cigarettes, it is becoming increasingly apparent that e-cigarettes possess their own unique health harms and that comparison to cigarettes should not be the only relevant question in determining its impact to health.”
Noong nakaraang taon ay naitala sa bansa ang unang kaso ng e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI) sa Visayas.