Barbers wants vape maker to explain serious violations of vape law

MANILA – Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Monday demanded vape product manufacturer and importer Flava Corporation to explain before Congress reports on serious violations of the country's vape law.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier reported that Flava Corp. was cited for violations when it sold flavored vape products which are expressly prohibited under the law.

"This Flava Corp. has been under investigation by the House for its reported tax evasion. Now here comes DTI finding the same corporation guilty, if news articles are to be relied on, for selling vapes with prohibited flavors that are considered dangerously appealing to minors," Barbers said.

Barbers, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said that under Republic Act (RA) 11900, only tobacco and mint flavors are allowed.

He said all other flavors that are enticing to minors and non-smokers are prohibited since the objective of the law is to wean tobacco smokers from smoking and shift them 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," he added.

Meanwhile, Barbers said his office has also received reports that liquid shabu and other addictive psychoactive substances are allegedly being smuggled and added to vape juice by some unscrupulous traders to their vape products.

"Psychoactive substances are addictive and affect how the brain works and cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior. These are manifestations observed in users and victims of these substances", he said.

Barbers cited a very recently first case of death brought about by severe lung injury attributed to vaping, which has been recorded in the country and it happened to a very young 22-year-old vaper.

The law, he said, prohibits vape products which are called "open" in that flavors and juice may be added by the trader or the vaper himself.

"If this is now being done, serious charges must be filed against these violators and hefty fines imposed against them. Adding liquid shabu and other addictive substances is a serious violation of RA 9165, the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. 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," Barbers said.

Barbers reminded the youth that vaping is no better than smoking.

"Serious health damage can happen to vape users who pick up this habit," he said.

"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 nor vape," he added. (PNA)