The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, March 17, appealed to President Duterte to veto the vape bill which is considered “anti-health” by medical experts.
DepEd, in a statement, said that it is one with the Department of Health (DOH) and medical organizations in the calls to veto the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act approved by the Senate on third and final reading in December 2021.
“We are taking a stand against the so-called ‘anti-health’ vape bill,” DepEd said.
As a government institution championing young Filipinos’ well-being, DepEd believed that the vape bill will “weaken” existing law and the executive order against Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENNDS) commonly known as e-cigarettes or “vapes.”
DepEd noted that if passed into law, the bill will “erode” the important provisions already outlined in Republic Act No. 11467 and Executive Order No. 106 both signed by the President in 2020.
The law and the executive order, DepEd added, 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,” it added.