Regional Updates

10 November 2021 Source: Philippines Department of Health Press Release The Department of Health (DOH) opposed and dissociated from pro-tobacco industry statements made by the Philippine delegation in the ongoing 9th Conference of Parties (COP9) of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in Geneva, Switzerland. During the discussion on the …

Philippines: DOH opposes and dissociates from statement of PH delegation in FCTC COP9 Read More »

6 November 2021 Mar T. Supnard.  Source: Daily Tribune Medical opinion and public opinion are in agreement: Vapes and e-cigarettes are harmful to Filipinos’ health. Sixty-six percent of those who use vapes and e-cigarettes support a ban on flavors that appeal to children, according to Pulse Asia In a statement, the survey firm said that …

Philippines: Vapes, e-cigs serious health hazards Read More »

27 October 2021 Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco. Source: Business Mirror Stressing that it is a huge step backward in protecting the health of Filipinos, health experts, youth groups, and other non-government organizations (NGOs) have called on the Senate to listen to the people and to junk the vape bill now. Vapes and e-cigarettes are common names for electronic …

Philippines: Former health execs join clamor to junk vape bill Read More »

October 2021, SEATCA ASEAN region In the ASEAN region, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Singapore and Thailand have banned electronic smoking devices, while Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam and currently considering legislation. Globally about 40 countries have banned electronic smoking devices (ESD). Most recently, the Hong Kong legislature banned the sale of ESD. Governments need to take a precautionary approach and protect …

Vaping Is Harmful, Not Safer Read More »

11 October 2021 Source: Daily Guardian Seven former health secretaries joined calls of medical professionals for the Senate to junk the Vape Bill, which seeks to roll back regulations on the sale, manufacture, and marketing of vapes and e-cigarettes in the country. “The Vape Bill is a huge step back in protecting Filipinos’ health. It …

Ex-DOH chiefs ask Senate to ditch Vape Bill Read More »

6 October 2021 Source: Bangkok Post The Medical Association of Thailand has come out strongly against the proposal by Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn to legalise the sale of e-cigarettes. The association sent an open letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asking him to caution the minister.   The letter was signed by Amorn …

Thailand: Doctors oppose legalising e-cigarettes Read More »

25 September 2021 Dio Suhenda.  Source: The Jakartapost The Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) has begun taking down cigarette advertisements across the capital city following a new regulation signed by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan calling on building managers against displaying cigarette advertisements and products in their establishments. Since Sept. 13, Satpol PP officers across …

Jakarta moves to take down cigarette ads in latest tobacco control campaign Read More »

19 September 2021 Dr Mohammad Fadzley, Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah and Dr Khor Swee Kheng Source: The Star Malaysia Stronger laws to control the sale and use of tobacco and vaping products are needed to phase out smoking and vaping. A 2016 Health Ministry study showed that at least 600,000 children between 11- to 18-years-old in Malaysia …

Making Malaysia tobacco-free Read More »

16 September 2021 Klaire Ting. Source: Vera files The Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) joined medical practitioners and youth leaders on Wednesday in asking Congress to reject the bill that seeks to lower the age of persons who can buy, use or sell vapes and electronic …

Philippines: Three govt agencies put pressure on Congress to scrap bill on vapes, e-cigarettes Read More »