NANAWAGAN ang malaking child’s rights alliance na Child Rights Network (CRN) na protektahan ng pamahalaan ang mga Kabataang Pilipino laban sa masamang epekto ng nauusong electronic cigarettes o vapes na ayon sa grupo ay nagiging sanhi ng tinaguriang pagkakaroon ng “vapedemic” sa Pilipinas at sinisi nito ang pro-tobacco industry Vape Bill na isa sa dahilan dito.
Ang panawagan ay isinagawa sa gitna ng kasalukuyang nagaganap na 10 session ng “Conference of the Parties of the World of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) sa Panama.
“We are concerned that the lead of the Philippine delegation is not from public health. A convention on health issues without strong leadership prioritizing health perspective risks being influenced by the interests of the tobacco industry,” saad ng mensahe ni Rom Dongeto, CRN Convenor at Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development sa inilabas na press statement.
Ayon kay Dongeto, nakatanggap na ang Pilipinas ng 3 “Dirty Ashtray “ awards sa mga nakaraang convention, dahil aniya sa alignment nito sa mga interes ng tobacco industry.
“Latest data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey shows that Filipino children as young as 13 are already being introduced to nicotine addiction through e-cigarettes. Despite regulations prohibiting the sale of these products to minors, the recent enactment of the pro-tobacco industry Vape Bill has worsened the situation,” sabi ni Dongeto.
“Vapes are like candies now. The pro-industry legislation has allowed a wider range of flavors and youthful packaging and marketing, lowered the age of access from 21 to 18, and eased restrictions under the guise of “harm reduction,” dagdag ni Dongeto.
“Health experts warn of the early consequences of vaping, including lung injuries, exacerbation of health issues, and the alarming rise of youth populations drawn to these products.Some smokers are merely transitioning to dual use, while the youth, previously unexposed to nicotine, are being lured into addiction,” ang sabi niya.
Base sa 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, ipinakita dito na 14 porsiyento, o 1 sa kada 7 kabataang Filipino na may edad 13 to 15, ay gumagamit na ng e-cigarettes.
Ma. Luisa Macabuhay-Garcia