Philippine leader says to ban ‘toxic’ e-cigarettes and arrest users

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The Philippines will outlaw the use and importation of e-cigarettes and arrest anyone using them, its president said on Tuesday, joining a growing number of nations moving to ban devices that have been linked to deaths and addiction.

20 Nov 2019 02:25AM

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MANILA: The Philippines will outlaw the use and importation of e-cigarettes and arrest anyone using them, its president said on Tuesday, joining a growing number of nations moving to ban devices that have been linked to deaths and addiction.

President Rodrigo Duterte announced the order during a late night news conference after being asked about a Department of Health report confirming the first case of lung injury related to vaping in the country.

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"I will ban it. The use and importation. You know why? Because it is toxic and government has the power to issue measures to protect public health and public interest," said Duterte, who has also banned smoking cigarettes in public.

He also directed law enforcers to arrest anybody caught vaping in public.

Duterte, 74, was himself once a heavy smoker but quit when he was diagnosed as suffering from Buergers disease, which can cause blockages in the blood vessels.

"This vaping, they say it is electronic. Don't give me that shit. Better stop it, I will order your arrest if you do it in a room… That is like smoking. You contaminate people," he said.

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The ban could curb expansion plans of companies such as U.S. e-cigarette maker Juul Labs, which has been launching its products in international markets, including the Philippines, amid a widening crackdown on vaping at home.

The worlds vaping industry, which has seen rapid growth, has faced a growing public backlash ovRead More – Source