DTI scolded for not seizing ‘violative’ vapes

Vape. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senators castigated the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday for not confiscating so-called violative vapes.

The Senate committee on sustainable development goals, innovation, and futures thinking is looking into the apparent violation of companies or businesses selling vapes that are packaged to captivate the youth.

During the hearing, DTI’s lawyer Marimel Porciuncula said that the agency has “the power to confiscate” violative vapes.

Panel chair Senator Pia Cayetano asked DTI Assistant Secretary Ann Claire Cabonchan if they have conducted confiscations.

Cabonchan replied: “Based on the enforcement operations, we have not confiscated.”

An irked Cayetano then said: “Pa’no? Picture taking tapos submission tapos show-cause? Mismong lawyer ninyo ang nagsabing you have the power to confiscate… Parang kulang naman sa briefing ‘yung enforcement ninyo.”

(How? You take a picture, submit it, and issue a show-cause order? Your own lawyer said that you have the power to confiscate. Your enforcement body seemed not to have been briefed enough.)

READ: Bill allowing younger vapers lapses into law

According to the DTI, they have issued 16 show-cause orders against physical companies and 44 online vape sellers.

It also said that they sent letters to online shopping platforms, asking them to comply with the requirements of the law.

On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the upper chamber appears to have a more in-depth study than DTI’s implementing body.

Villanueva, during the hearing, showed that an online seller based in Manila sold thousands of violative vapes.

“Baka kasi mas in-depth pa tayong mag-aral dito sa Senado than the implementing agency,” he said.

(We may have a more in-depth study here in the Senate than the implementing agency.)

READ: DOH ‘deeply concerned’ over vape bill lapsing into law

“Kami po dito tuwing maghi-hearing, nag-aaral po kami at ginagawa namin lahat ng aming magagawa para po makatulong. Sana po magtulungan tayo at sana gawin din natin ‘yung trabaho natin,” the senator added.

(Every hearing, we study and do everything we can to help. I hope we support one another and do our jobs.)

Under the law, “the sale of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco products that are packaged, labeled, presented, or marketed with flavor descriptors that are proven to unduly appeal particularly to minors shall be prohibited. A flavor descriptor is presumed to unduly appeal to minors if it includes a reference to a fruit, candy brand, dessert, or cartoon character.”

The Senate earlier adopted an unnumbered resolution condemning the sale of vaping products that are packaged to entice the youth, and demanding the DTI uphold the law.

READ: Senators fume over vape industry’s targeting the youth market, urge DTI to uphold law

KGA