Pabidang DTI exec kinastigo, planong e-cigarette hub sa Pinas tinabla
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SINOPLA ng isang bagitong kongresista sa Kamara ang maneobra ng isang opisyal ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na nagsusulong gawing manufacturing hub ng e-cigarettes at heated tobacco products (HTP) ang Pilipinas.
Ayon kay Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Ray Reyes, hindi katanggap-tanggap ang posisyong inilatag ng DTI exec sa idinaos na International Tobacco Agriculture Summit kung saan ibinida ang aniya’y malaking potensyal at pagbubukas ng bansa bilang sentro sa paggawa at distribusyon ng mga nasabing produkto.
“It is deeply concerning that our economic managers are seemingly disregarding the potential health risks of using e-cigarettes and HTPs in favor of economic gain,” dismayadong pahayag ni Reyes.
“While these products are usually branded as a safer alternative to cigarettes, they still pose many health risks,” paalala pa ng kongresista.
Giit ng Anakalusugan partylist congressman, ang sapantaha ng hindi pinangalanang DTI official ay taliwas sa layon ng Republic Act 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act), partikular ang pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa sambayanang Pilipino mula sa masamang dulot sa kalusugan ng e-cigarettes at HTPs.
“Our economic managers should be careful with their statements because these can be misconstrued as an endorsement of a product that they are mandated to regulate,” aniya pa.
“Under the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, DTI is mandated to regulate vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products. The DTI should instead focus on preventing and restricting access to HTPs and vapes, especially among young people,” dagdag ng mambabatas.
Ani Reyes, bagama’t batid niya ang pangangailangan na muling palakasin ang ekonomiya ng bansa matapos malugmok dulot ng naranasang pandemya, hindi naman aniya angkop na isantabi na lamang ang kapakanan at kalusugan mamamayan.
