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The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is warning the public against “tuklaw” cigarettes, which it said contains harmful chemicals and has been spotted in the country.
PDEA spokesperson Joseph Calulut said the cigarette contains synthetic cannabinoid, a prohibited substance that he said causes seizures.
He said the illicit cigarettes are black or dark brown, and are stuffed with Nicotiana rustiana. Nicotiana rustiana, or wild tobacco, does not itself contain cannabinoids, with the Department of Agriculture noting it is "also grown and used in oriental tobacco."
Calulut said that Nicotiana rustica has a higher nicotine content than Nicotiana tabacum, or cultivated tobacco, which is used in regular cigarettes.
The PDEA is now tracing the origin of the cigarettes after they were reportedly discovered in Palawan and Taguig.
The 'tuklaw' cigarettes have been the subject of viral videos showing youth seemingly dazed and catatonic after allegedly using them.
“Allegedly, ang sinasabi ng mga batang ito ay binigay lang ng kasama ho nila, kaya we are closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police to determine kung saan ho nila nakuha,” the official noted.
(The youths said someone gave them the cigarettes, so we are closely coordinating with the PNP to determine where they got it)
They are also looking into the possibility that a syndicate may be trying to sell the cigarettes in the Philippines.
He said the the PDEA is still waiting for the results of one more test for its final report to the policy-making Dangerous Drugs Board.
“And ang Dangerous Drug Board, they will come up with a regulation to ban this substance kasi iyon nga ho, iyong synthetic cannabinoid that is already prohibited based on the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs,” he added.
(And the Dangerous Drugs Board will come up with a regulation banning this because the synthetic cannabinoid is already prohibited)
Calulut vowed that intensified public information dissemination and monitoring will be conducted with various government agencies and local government units.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center said it will help monitor those trying to sell the cigarettes online.
