“Say no to tobacco and vape smoking.”
That was the call of members of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP) – Negros Chapter, other medical societies and the Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force, who held a motorcade and signed a unified statement against vaping at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby Wednesday, June 28.
They consider E-cigarettes harmful and do not recommend their use, Dr. Ronel Sario, PCCP – Negros vice president and national chairman of the World No Tobacco Day Advocacy, said.
PCCP unequivocally supports the Vaping Ban, and urges the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prohibit the e-cigarette companies from promoting their product as a less harmful and a viable alternative for smoking cessation, the statement said.
“We highly encourage the public to stop or not even try to use e-cigarettes and vaping products. And more importantly, we implore our government and legislators to support a smoke and vape-free environment,” it added.
“E- cigarettes and other vaping products are not safe. They contain around 2,000 chemicals (including nicotine and formaldehyde) that can cause severe lung injuries, cancers, eye, nose and throat irritation, liver, kidney, vascular, and nervous system damage and death,” the statement said.
It is not recommended as a smoking cessation device and is not a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. It does not stop nicotine addiction, it added.
The Philippine FDA has not approved the use of E-cigarettes and other vaping products, it added.
“E-cigarettes can target the youth because of its marketed appeal and pave the way for subsequent tobacco use among teens and children as it is being sold without age restriction. Its use under age 25 has been proven to affect memory, attention and learning,” the statement said.
The use of E-cigarettes may undermine smoke-free policies and may also pose the same risks to those who are exposed (passive smokers) and the general public, it added.
“We will be visiting campuses soon for this advocacy via our campus campaign series and an official slogan for this vape initiative will be released soon,” Sario said.
PCCP Negros president is Dr. May Grace Miravalles Atis.*