MANILA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will prohibit vaping in public places in an apparent move to protect residents from secondhand vape aerosol, the country's Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said on Wednesday.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed in May 2017 an executive order that bans smoking in all public places in the Philippines, including schools, workplaces, government facilities, churches, hospitals, transport terminals, markets, parks and resorts. But the executive order covers only traditional tobacco cigarettes.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque signed an administrative order in June expanding the public smoking ban covering Electronic Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS).
"Use of vapes and e-cigarettes will be banned in places where smoking is prohibited," Duque said.
He said the administrative order provides that establishments engaged in the manufacture, distribution, importation, exportation, sale including online and transfer of ENDS products must first secure a license to operate from the Food and Drug Administration.
Domingo said the administrative order would take effect after publication in two newspapers.
Retail sales of nicotine shots and concentrates are also prohibited. Containers of these smoking devices must also have appropriate health warnings.
Vaping is inhaling the vapor from an electronic cigarette or other devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution.
Studies established that people can consume nicotine from the secondhand aerosol.
