DTI reports confiscation of over 18,000 vape products worth P5.5M

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Tuesday that it has confiscated more than 18,000 vape products worth P5.5 million that did not follow regulations under Republic Act No. 11900.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reports its confiscations of more than 18,000 vape products worth P5.5 million that did not follow regulations under Republic Act No. 11900. INQUIRER.net stock photo

It also said it has issued notices of violations and show cause orders to 269 physical stores and 61,000 of 66,000 online stores of vape products.

According to the agency, violations of the stores ranged from failing to verify the age of minors who were able to buy the vape products to offering vape products that appeal to minors.

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So far, it added, it has filed 200 complaints against erring vape stores or sellers.

DTI Secretary Fred Pascual vowed that his agency will work harder to prevent the sale of vape to minors.

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“[W]e are working double time on our enforcement operations to prevent the sale of vape to minors – that is our duty. Also, we will continue to work with our partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure that violators of RA 11900 and its IRR (implementing rules and regulations) are penalized accordingly,” he said.

DTI urged the public to report vape rules violations via its hotline 1-384 or email [email protected].