On August 23, according to foreign reports, e-cigarette activists praised the development of progressive e-cigarette legislation in the Philippines.

On July 25, Philippine e-cigarette legislation went into effect, lowering the purchasing age for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, removing two-flavor restrictions on e-liquids, and allowing e-cigarette sponsorships outside of trade associations and trade events.

Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of the Coalition of Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates for Asia Pacific (CAPHRA), said: Enacting some of the most advanced e-cigarette legislation in the Asia Pacific region now makes the Philippines an international leader in effective tobacco harm reduction . It's a huge wake-up call for other countries, and also makes smokers switch to safer nicotine products.

Vapers PH president Peter Dator said the new laws protect minors, help eradicate the black market, ensure safety standards and give adult smokers access to viable cigarette alternatives.

"By adopting a successful THR strategy, we are now joining about 70 countries around the world where smoking rates are declining," Dator said. "This is truly a landmark piece of legislation and I hope other countries will now follow suit. Embracing e-cigarettes is the only way to eradicate smoking."

Dator also praised Philippine lawmakers for resisting foreign attempts to influence the country's health policy.

"The Philippines has been known to have been a target of American billionaires, and their so-called charitable foundations have fueled anti-vaping sentiment," he said. "Our leaders have now stood up to the bullies, leaving a legacy that will be passed down from generation to generation."