Child rights' groups blast vape bill

THE vape bill does not strike any balance at all, contrary to what certain lawmakers would like to make it appear, the Child Rights Network (CRN) said as it objected to House Deputy Speaker Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian's latest defense of the consolidated House Bill 9007 and Senate Bill 2239, otherwise known as the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Bill.

"What the esteemed deputy speaker seeks to obfuscate is the fact that the vape bill essentially relaxes regulations on the sale, distribution, use and promotion of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes and vaporized nicotine products (VNPs), tilting the balance toward the profit-seeking tobacco industry at the expense of minors," CRN convenor Romeo Dongeto said in a statement. CRN is the largest alliance of organizations and agencies pushing for children's rights legislation in the Philippines.