DTI suspends online sales of vapes and vape products

INQUIRER ARCHIVE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Friday issued an order suspending the sale, advertising and distribution of vapes online, a move that tightens government regulation of an industry long opposed by the health care community.

“This is a temporary suspension until the e-marketplaces can convince us that they are complying with their obligations under Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vape Law, and other laws and related issues,” Pascual told reporters during a roundtable discussion in Makati.

Removing sellers from the stock exchange

The head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the order to suspend online sales of e-cigarettes was primarily motivated by the need to prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and ensure that online sales meet legal safety standards.

READ:

DOH Supports Treasury Secretary’s Proposal to Ban Disposable Vapes

Vapes contain graphic health warnings

PRO-7 warns against using marijuana-flavored vapes

The directive, contained in the four-page departmental regulation No. 24-03, takes effect immediately, he said.

Companies selling e-cigarettes and online marketplace operators must provide an affidavit stating that they are fully complying with the e-cigarette law so they can resume their sales, he added.

DTI Consumer Affairs and Legal Services Group Undersecretary Amanda Marie Nograles said the agency received commitments from two e-marketplace operators to remove vape vendors from their platforms after a June 27 meeting.

“They have informed us through official letters and communications. But this is necessary, because what about the others?” Nograles said.

On June 14, the DTI reported that it had monitored nearly 90,000 businesses, including those operating online and engaged in the vape business.

Violations

Of these, 526 had been given show-cause orders, while 284 had been issued with warnings by the DTI for various offences, such as selling the product within 100 metres of a school, playground or places frequented by minors, using advertising or ‘flavours’ intended to appeal to minors, or failing to display age-restriction signs in the store.

At least P32.76 million worth of vape products have been seized by the DTI this year, most of which are for being sold without proper certifications, such as the Philippine Standard seal and Import Commodity Clearance sticker.

Last month, the ministry ordered mandatory certification of the product in accordance with the Vape Act, which expired in July 2022. —Alden M. Monzon