Philippines: DOH Displeased on PBA Team Official Smoking E-cigarette

Source from:  Manila Bulletin 12/14/2015

The Department of Health (DOH) expresses dismay on a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team official who was seen on the television while smoking an e-cigarette during a recent game.

Health spokesperson Lyndon Lee Suy said that Barangay Ginebra Kings team governor Alfrancis Chua was caught smoking during an event which is supposed to promote healthy lifestyle.

"It is really parang encouraging yung act of smoking, regardless if e-cigarette or actual cigarette. So paano mo mape-prevent 'yong mga bata from actual smoking (It's really as if he is encouraging the act of smoking, regardless if e-cigarette or actual cigarette. So how will you be able to prevent the youth from actual smoking)?," Health spokesperson Lyndon Lee Suy pointed out.

E-cigarette is a battery-powered vaporizer that simulates the feeling of smoking. Without the use of burning tobacco, an e-cigarette has a liquid solution which is composed of propylene glycol, flavours, and nicotine.

"Lalo na ito sa PBA, which is supposed to promote healthy lifestyle. Basketball e (Especially in PBA which is supposed to promote healthy lifestyle. It's basketball)," he said.

Chua was seen a smoking e-cigarette a couple of times during the timeout huddles of Ginebra in a game that was held in Angeles City.

Netizens who watched the game gave negative reactions on social networking sites. Enditem