The City Council committee on health and sanitation and health insurance is now working on the enactment of an ordinance regulating e-cigarettes in Cagayan de Oro.
During its recent meeting, the committee, chaired by Councilor Maria Lourd-es Gaane, discussed the proposed ordinance implementing the comprehensive anti-vaping ordinance of the city, prohibiting the use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes in certain places within the city.
It may be recalled that the City Legal Office submitted its legal opinion on the creation of the Smoke-Free Task Force, which stated that it is the mandate of executive agencies.
According to the legal office, the e-cigar and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) has no legal basis since it is not covered in Executive Order 26.
It was proposed that the city come up with a separate ordinance for such regulation.
During the meeting, the Department of Health (DOH) said the office would coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Art Reyes, a representative of vaper’s group, said he is amenable to the regulation of e-vaping, as he exressed concern that e-vapes are sold in public markets.
“There are minors nga gusto sila mopalit pero dili ga-smoke and naay ga-smoke pero under age… Don’t vape if you don’t smoke,” he stressed.
The committee favorably endorsed the proposed ordinance to the City Legal Office for review and recommendation. (clo)
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