The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has banned the manufacture, importation, distribution and retail sale of vape open pods. This measure, taken to safeguard consumer well-being, targets pods that allow users to refill cartridges with uncertified e-liquids that may pose serious health and safety risks.
The DTI has removed an open pod model from the scope of a holder’s Certificate of Philippine Standards (PS) License, ensuring that only compliant vapor product systems remain available to the public.
Following this, Phantom Vape Group, Inc. voluntarily narrowed the scope of its PS License No. Q-00002, removing all open pod models under its VAGEND brand, including the VPRIME Device, XLIM PRO 2 Device, NEXLIM Device, XLIM GO Device and XLIM SQ PRO 2 Device.
These products are no longer authorized for manufacture, importation, distribution or sale in the Philippines.
The DTI’s action comes amid public concerns over vape products allegedly containing synthetic cannabinoids, chemicals that mimic cannabis, recently detected in “Tuklaw” cigarettes reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
In response, the DTI’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (OSMV) is finalizing an issuance to formalize the nationwide ban on vape open pods and uncertified e-liquids.
Under the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (RA 11900), the DTI remains committed to protecting the public from the hazards of vapes and other novel tobacco products, including substance abuse.
