By Alec Go
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded businesses engaged in vape products to strictly comply with the law and ensure that minors do not access vaporized products and novel tobacco products.
In a statement on Wednesday on the sale of vape flavors with descriptions, the DTI warned violators of Republic Act (RA) No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) “will be prosecuted accordingly.”
The DTI said it has already issued notices of violation to establishments selling vape products and devices, as well as novel tobacco products with “markings or characters such as cartoons, anime, manga, animated characters, youth influencers, personalities.”
Also covered by the notices are “those that are packaged, labeled, presented, or marketed with flavor descriptors such as fruit, candy brand, dessert, or cartoon character.”
Since the law’s IRR became effective on December 28 last year, the DTI said manufacturers and importers were given until June 5, 2024 to comply with product registration and certification under the vape law.
The DTI said only Bureau of Philippine Standards-registered vape products and novel tobacco products “with the applicable graphic and textual health warnings shall be sold to the general public by June 2024.”
The DTI assured the public that it will continue with its intensified enforcement activities on the vape law. – gb
