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Sunday, Jun 29, 2025
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Philippines DTI Seizes PHP 41 Million in Illegal Vape Products Amid Regulatory Crackdown
Government intensifies enforcement of vaping regulations, highlighting the need for compliance among retailers and distributors.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines has reported the confiscation of PHP 41,256,170 worth of illegal vape products, encompassing 88 non-compliant brands, between January and May 2025. This latest enforcement action is part of a broader initiative that has seen an estimated total of PHP 56,179,567 worth of illicit vape products seized since 2023.
The operations were conducted by the DTI’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV), in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
These efforts are in alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, which aims to enhance law enforcement and consumer protection as part of public health initiatives.
In addition to the confiscations, the DTI reported significant online enforcement measures, having taken down over 104 million pages, posts, and advertisements from various digital platforms.
The agency has also flagged 628 physical establishments for violations and has issued 385 formal charges, show cause orders, and notices of violation.
Currently, trading suspensions are in effect for 10 brands identified as non-compliant.
The intensified crackdown underscores the DTI’s commitment to the regulation stipulated in Republic Act No. 11900 (RA11900), which governs vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.
Among the common regulatory offenses identified in the seized products are the absence of tax stamps, missing Philippine Standard license marks, and improper graphic health warnings, all in violation of Section 4 of RA11900.
Furthermore, products marketed in ways appealing to minors, such as fruity flavors and cartoon-themed packaging, were also identified as contraventions of Section 12 of the law.
Penalties for violations under RA11900 are structured as follows: for Section 4, first offenses can incur fines up to PHP 2,000,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years, while repeat offenses can result in even steeper penalties, including fines up to PHP 5,000,000 and longer imprisonment terms.
Section 12 imposes lower initial fines starting at PHP 100,000 for first infractions, escalating with subsequent violations.
The DTI’s OSMV has called upon all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to ensure strict adherence to RA11900 to safeguard public interests, especially protecting minors from illicit vape products.
Continued non-compliance may lead to further confiscations and administrative penalties.
To facilitate public participation in regulatory enforcement, the DTI has encouraged reporting of violations to its OSMV Communications Unit via designated email addresses.
For consumer complaints related to vape products, individuals can utilize the DTI Consumer Care System for assistance.
The operations were conducted by the DTI’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV), in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
These efforts are in alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, which aims to enhance law enforcement and consumer protection as part of public health initiatives.
In addition to the confiscations, the DTI reported significant online enforcement measures, having taken down over 104 million pages, posts, and advertisements from various digital platforms.
The agency has also flagged 628 physical establishments for violations and has issued 385 formal charges, show cause orders, and notices of violation.
Currently, trading suspensions are in effect for 10 brands identified as non-compliant.
The intensified crackdown underscores the DTI’s commitment to the regulation stipulated in Republic Act No. 11900 (RA11900), which governs vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.
Among the common regulatory offenses identified in the seized products are the absence of tax stamps, missing Philippine Standard license marks, and improper graphic health warnings, all in violation of Section 4 of RA11900.
Furthermore, products marketed in ways appealing to minors, such as fruity flavors and cartoon-themed packaging, were also identified as contraventions of Section 12 of the law.
Penalties for violations under RA11900 are structured as follows: for Section 4, first offenses can incur fines up to PHP 2,000,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years, while repeat offenses can result in even steeper penalties, including fines up to PHP 5,000,000 and longer imprisonment terms.
Section 12 imposes lower initial fines starting at PHP 100,000 for first infractions, escalating with subsequent violations.
The DTI’s OSMV has called upon all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to ensure strict adherence to RA11900 to safeguard public interests, especially protecting minors from illicit vape products.
Continued non-compliance may lead to further confiscations and administrative penalties.
To facilitate public participation in regulatory enforcement, the DTI has encouraged reporting of violations to its OSMV Communications Unit via designated email addresses.
For consumer complaints related to vape products, individuals can utilize the DTI Consumer Care System for assistance.
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