Health experts and advocates on Wednesday asked senators to raise to 21 or 25 years old the minimum age of persons who may be allowed to purchase or use vape, e-cigarettes and vapor products to curb its harmful effects on minors.
This, as Senate trade subcommittee started deliberating on Wednesday, March 17, four bills seeking the regulation of vaporized nicotine products in the country.
The bills filed by Senators Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto III and Juan Miguel Zubiri propose to prohibit the purchase, sale, distribution and use of such products for children below 18 years old. Sen. Pia Cayetano, meanwhile, wanted it prohibited for "young persons".
"Scientific studies have shown the age of maturation actually occurs at the age of 25 years. Now, if we are thinking of changing the minimum age of purchase maybe what we should do is even increase it to 25 years," said Philippine College of Physicians executive director and doctor Encarnita Blanco-Limpin.
Limpin noted that under the Republic Act No 11467, the age of purchase for vaporized nicotine products and heated tobacco products is 21 years old.
"To be consistent, since all of these addictive substances maybe it is wise to consider that we put the minimum age of purchase for all the vaporized products, heated tobacco products, all the regular tobacco products and even alcohol, at the age of 21, or even perhaps at the age of 25. So that we will be able to prevent our young from taking up these addiction at an earlier age," she appealed.
Echoing this, Dr. Rizalina Gonzales of the Philippine Pediatric Society said youths aged 18 are still "in the risk-taking behavior".
"It is the maximum age wherein they experiment and try out things," she said.
Further, she explained "that the pre-frontal cortex which is actually where the dopamine reward center is and the target of nicotine matures last by the age of 25."
"Exposure to nicotine regularly negatively affects the development of this particular part of the brain which is important for the executve function, that is mainly mood and impulse control, attention to learning which impact decision making," Gonzales said.
Citing their the study conducted last year, she said about 20 percent of youth are using electronic cigarettes. "And we all know that smoking and vaping initiation before the age of 18 makes the brain harder to quit."
"Lowering the access of e-cigarettes from 21 to 18 years old, we find, is a retrospective act," the doctor said.
She also told the Senate panel: "We should review also our laws on tobacco."
Dr. Regina Canonizado of Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonogy also said: "The age limit should be maintained at 21 if we cannot go to 25."
"If ever we have some laws limiting the age to 18, perhaps at this time, it is but proper for us to do what's more right and what's proper for our youth," she said.
"If you allow these things to happen at an early age, this will be a gateway to other addiction and more problems not only with their health but also socially, psychologically and mentally," Canonizado said.
Child Rights' Network coordinator Antonette Flores supported the calls, saying it will prevent the exposure of children to the harmful products.
Existing laws prohibit the sale of alcohol and tobacco products to persons below 18 years old.
Cayetano said she will file a bill increasing the age of access "to those other sinful products".
"Whether its 21, 23, or 25, I'm still deciding on that," she said.