Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILABULLETIN)

House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairman Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers says he has received reports that liquid shabu and other addictive psychoactive substances are allegedly being added to vape juice by certain traders.

In a statement on Monday, June 3, Barbers says adding liquid shabu and other substances is a serious violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“If this is now being done, serious charges must be filed against these violators and hefty fines imposed against them,” the veteran lawmaker said.

“Any company, manufacturer, trader or seller who is found to be doing this will face the full might of RA 9165 and will get additional heavier penalties," he added.

Barbers warned the public that psychoactive substances are addictive in nature. He said it affects how the brain works, and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao congressman also issued a strong demand to vape product manufacturer and importer Flava Corporation to explain before Congress its reported violations of RA No. 11900, also known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Flava was cited for violations when it sold flavored vape products that were prohibited under the law.

Under RA No. 11900, only tobacco and mint flavors are allowed.

All other flavors that are deemed enticing to minors and non-smokers are prohibited since the law’s main objective is to shift tobacco smokers from smoking to less harmful vape products. 

“If enticing flavors are allowed, previous non-smokers and minors might pick up the vape habit which is not good either since it was never intended to be a healthy substitute to tobacco smoking as vape is not healthy at all with all its chemical composition,” explained Barbers.

Barbers noted that the latest issue of Flava, which the House had earlier probed, was a huge concern.

Recently, the Philippines recorded its first vape-related death after a 22-year-old male died of a heart attack following a severe lung injury linked to his vape usage.

With this, Barbers reminded the youth that vaping is no better than smoking. He pointed out that serious health damage can still happen to vape users.

“We in Congress will strictly monitor these products and will be actively engaged even in ways that they are being marketed. It is our duty to protect the youth and the people. It is never ‘cool’ to smoke or vape," he said.