SENATOR Pia Cayetano has reaffirmed her commitment to amending the current vape law, saying it is flawed and has a negative impact on public health.
Speaking in a radio interview on Saturday (Jan. 18), Cayetano criticized Republic Act 11900 for transferring regulatory powers from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Department of Health (DOH) to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, RA 11900 passed into law in July 2025 and regulates the sale, use, and distribution of vaping products.
“Kahit i-Google niyo ang DTI, may mandate ba sila sa health? I always ask DTI, what is your competence?” the chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee said.
She said the DTI’s only competence on the matter is in “the testing of the (vaping) devices… Kumbaga it’s like an electronic device, kung sasabog yan, ‘pag umiinit ba yan, parang baterya, charger, ganon.”
The contents of the device, on the other hand, is a different matter. “To be able to test properly, you need pharmacists, nurses, toxicologists, experts on classification of chemicals, addiction specialists, and even pediatrics,” which she said the DTI does not have.
Asked if she believes the vape law should be revised, Cayetano said this was “part of my findings in the Blue Ribbon Committee. Meron na akong bills na naka-file.”
Cayetano vowed to continue advocating for stricter regulations on vaping and tobacco products.
“I will fight it till the end, when I find the right allies and we can pass a new law. If not, I will just continue talking about it and fighting about it,” she said. (UnliNews Online)
