Phillipines: Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration public hearing on e-digs

[ChrisUp2Late]

This just in:

Are e-cigarettes safe and do they help cut smoking? Hearing aims to discuss issues - InterAksyon.com

 

[AgentAnia]

From what we've been seeing in the news lately, the Philippine "public health" jackboots are engaged in a hysterical witchhunt against electronic cigarettes. Seems like they've been setting the stage, whipping up public tempers, for this hearing. Interesting, this:

“The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the issues on the safety and regulation of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) in the country. The DOH-FDA would like to receive written views and positions from consumer groups, organizations, academe, and local government units,” said an FDA statement.

Once again, we see that regulatory agencies looking at the e-cig phenomenon diligently insist on NOT talking to individuals who actually USE the things! Incredible....

 

[BuGlen]

Once again, we see that regulatory agencies looking at the e-cig phenomenon diligently insist on NOT talking to individuals who actually USE the things! Incredible....

To be fair, they did include "consumer groups", and most government agencies prefer to hear from representatives rather than a myriad of individual voices. I only hope that they have an equivalent organization like CASAA that can faithfully represent them. Although, I don't imagine it would do much good as big money is the ultimate influence in poor economic areas, such as those in the Philippines.

 

[durianeliquidflavorplease]

We have the newly-formed PECIA or Philippine Electronic Cigarette Industry Association leading the cause. Man, we've seen various idiotic statements from the local ANTZ. One doctor said on a TV debate that "Pag Ginoogle mo, makikita mo na marami yang harmful effects." (You can see that [vaping] has harmful effects if you do a Google search). On another TV face-off, a WHO representative said that analog cigarettes are likely safer than e-cigs because analogs have FILTERS. Yes, many of these "health officials" are actually siding with real cigarettes.