Manila: Senator Pia Cayetano on Thursday called for stronger regulatory measures and a unified stance against reported irregularities in the tobacco and vape industries. This comes after the Philippines received its fifth ‘Dirty Ashtray Award’ during the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Conference of the Parties.

According to Philippines News Agency, Cayetano, who chairs the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon), wanted clarity on the roles of agencies in implementing the Vape Law and ensuring the protection of public health. She emphasized the limitations of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in handling health safety components of vape regulation, noting its inability to test consumables and chemical content, unlike the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

During previous hearings, it was determined that DTI can only test devices, batteries, and chargers but lacks the expertise to evaluate chemical safety. Cayetano highlighted that the FDA has pharmacists, toxicologists, and specialists capable of rigorous safety testing, suggesting that the Department of Health (DOH) should lead future delegations to prioritize public health interests.

Cayetano insisted that the delegation must be headed by the DOH to advocate for public health policies and fulfill obligations under the FCTC. She also stressed the importance of aligning government programs to protect vulnerable sectors, particularly the youth, from tobacco use, asserting that every agency must work in the same direction to avoid wasting public funds.

Furthermore, the senator criticized the tobacco industry for undermining public health policies through misinformation, aggressive marketing, and lobbying efforts. She described these tactics as long-standing strategies designed to delay regulation, create loopholes, and normalize harmful products.