Philippines: Sale of E-cigarettes Not Cleared with Government

Source from:  Cebu City Sun Star (ph)  06/24/2013

THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) questioned on Sunday the sale of electronic cigarettes to the public without clearance from the agency.

"It did not go through us, so we are questioning how this product entered our country and are now claiming all sorts of positive benefits," said FDA Director Dr. Kenneth Go.

However, Go said they cannot block the sale of e-cigs because of a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by Supreme Court on FDA's authority to regulate tobacco and its by-products. The TRO was issued in a favor of the Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI).

"If they lift it, definitely, the FDA now has to exercise regulatory mandate on tobacco, including e-cigarettes, as they will have to be regulated and registered with us," said Go.

Go's statement came after the Philippine Medical Association asked the government to temporarily ban e-cigs in the market until its safety has been certified. Enditem