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Philippines' Health chief backs e-cigarette regulation over total ban on vape

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GT5fM84YYc8?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>MANILA - Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday said he would support measures that would regulate the use of e-cigarettes instead of policies banning the product.Duque&#x27;s statement is a departure from the Department of Health&#x27;s <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/30/19/doh-wants-ban-on-e-cigarettes">recent call</a> to ban electronic cigarettes in the country.&quot;If I had my way, I want to ban it but we have to be more evidence-based. We have to have more scientific basis for banning it,&quot; Duque told ANC&#x27;s Dateline Philippines Weekend.The official said it would be wiser to have a law on the regulation of e-cigarettes instead, noting that the DOH administrative order against vaping could not be enforced after a court released a temporary restraining order against the policy.&quot;If these were a legislation, it will be difficult to question this in the court of law,&quot; he said.&quot;We support measures to enforce regulation of vapes,&quot; he said.A British study showed that the cardiovascular health of chronic smokers improved after they switched to vaping.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/11/16/19/smokers-who-switch-to-e-cigarette-vapes-rapidly-boost-heart-health-study">Smokers who switch to e-cigarette vapes rapidly boost heart health: study</a></li></ul>The United States, however, said that as of November 14, around 42 people have died from the use of e-cigarettes, while 2,172 fell ill from vaping.Recently, a case of vaping-related injury was reported in Central Visayas involving a teenage patient, but Duque said further tests have to be conducted to confirm this. The executive department has been pushing to impose higher taxes on e-cigarette and alcohol products to raise some P47.9 billion to fund a P59.1-billion funding gap for universal health care.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/12/19/duterte-asks-lawmakers-pass-alcohol-vape-tax">Duterte asks lawmakers: Pass alcohol, vape tax</a></li></ul>

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday said he would support measures that would regulate the use of e-cigarettes instead of policies that would ban the products.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Saturday said he would support measures that would regulate the use of e-cigarettes instead of policies that would ban the products.