The Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has banned “toxic” e-cigarettes and called for the police to arrest people who are caught vaping in public.
The controversial arrest order followed just moments after Duterte said e-cigarette use will be banned across the Philippines.
In addition to being arrested, violators will have their vaping devices taken from there permanently.
Ever since Duterte took office, the government’s been cracking down on drug use, alcohol, and smoking, whereas critics slammed the president of inhumane practices in the process.
Based on “the order of the president,” the Philippine police ordered “all police units nationwide to enforce the ban on use of vapes; ensure that all violators will be arrested.”
While the act was heavily slammed by activists around the country, plenty of people agree that the ban is for the best of the majority.
Duterte’s controversial decision came just days after a 16-year-old Filipina was hospitalized due to vaping-linked lung issues.
While the alternative to smoking cigarettes has gained popularity at incredible speed during recent years, several authorities around the world have begun cracking down on vaping due to dozens of vaping-caused deaths worldwide.
In September, India has banned the import, production, advertising, and sale of all types of e-cigarettes, joining other countries that enforced similar bans including Singapore, Brazil, Thailand, and United States’ Massachusetts.
Prior to the ban, the Philippines was already considered to have strict anti-smoking rules. The country prohibits tobacco advertising and requires all cigarette packaging to feature graphic pictures of health hazards associated with smoking.
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