The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) cracked down on nearly 61,000 out of the 66,000 online vape stores it monitored as of January 2024 for marketing such products that unduly appeal to minors.
The move was part of its intensified monitoring and enforcement operations against violators of Republic Act No. 11900 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
DTI targeted retailers that failed to ensure no minor is allowed to purchase vape. Thus far, it has issued notices of violations and show cause orders to 269 physical stores and thousands more online over their failure to verify the age of their buyers.
These include electronic cigarettes that were either packaged, labeled, presented, or marketed with flavor descriptors.
“The DTI also flagged violators who used cartoons, anime, manga, animated characters, youth influencers, and personalities. More than 200 formal charges have been filed with the DTI, and administrative fines have been imposed on decided cases,” the agency reported recently.
Through these efforts, the DTI seized over 18,000 vape products from non-compliant stores valued at approximately 5.5 million pesos.
The agency has been taking these actions while waiting for the mandatory certification and registration of vape products by June 5, 2024, and enforcement of product standards and registration by 2025.
For now, the DTI fully utilizes the transition period for its nationwide efforts and campaign to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, importers, and retailers are well-educated on RA 11900 and its IRR.
The DTI continues to coordinate and extend full support to the Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Local Government Units, and the Bureau of Customs in ensuring that all laws on vape products are fully and strictly implemented.
“We are working double time on our enforcement operations to prevent the sale of vape to minors – that is our duty. Also, we will continue to work with our partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure that violators of RA 11900 and its IRR are penalized accordingly,” said DTI Secretary Fred Pascual.
The DTI urges consumers to report violators through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or [email protected].