DTI-PNP raid nets P25M banned Flava vape products near Baclaran school

DTI and PNP operatives seize 452 boxes of banned Flava vape products in Baclaran. Paranaque City.

MANILA, Philippines – Operatives from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) and the Philippine National Police raided a store selling banned Flava vape products near Baclaran Elementary School in Paranaque City on Wednesday.

DTI-FTEB Director Fhillip Sawali said the raid netted 452 boxes of illegal vape products with an estimated value of nearly P25 million.

The store, located just 20 meters from the school, was raided for violation of Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act of 2022.

The law prohibits the sale of vapes or e-cigarettes “within 100 meters of any point of the perimeter of a school, playground or other facility frequented particularly by minors.”

Before this, the FTEB also ordered the suspension of the sale, manufacturing, import and distribution of Flava Corporation’s vape products on March 15, citing violations of RA 11900.

Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual also ordered FTEB personnel to remove non-compliant products from the market, emphasizing the Department of Trade and Industry”s commitment to enforcement, supporting legitimate businesses and ensuring consumer safety.

“The DTI will not shirk from its responsibility of enforcing trade, industry and consumer protection laws to help legitimate businesses and promote consumer protection,” Pascual said in a statement.

Pascual also issued a strong warning to manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers against engaging in illegal acts of trading illicit vapes and other violative products.

In the April 24 operation, authorities discovered the store was using a milk tea shop as a front to sell and distribute the banned vape products.

Sawali said the establishment violated several provisions of RA 11900, including Section 9 which prohibits sale of vapes within 100 meters from a school and Section 12 which restricts the use of flavor descriptors in vape products.

The FTEB suspended trading of Flava products for allegedly using flavor descriptors appealing to minors and employing celebrity endorsers for vape products.

Sawali and DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Marie Nograles of the Consumer Protection Group said the raid provided strong evidence against the continued sale of banned Flava products.

Recent operations by the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have uncovered large-scale vape product smuggling in the country.

RA 11900 or the Vape Law regulates the importation, assembly, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, promotion and sponsorship of vape products, their devices and novel tobacco products.

It aims to ensure a healthy environment, prevent sales of these products to minors and curb illicit trade.

Under the Vape Law and its implementing rules, retailers and manufacturers are required to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and take precautions against illegal products.

It provides the DTI the regulatory jurisdiction over vapes and other novel tobacco products. 

Pascual noted the agency’s intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts, both physically and online, to ensure that the sale and illegal trade of vape products, particularly those targeting minors, are prevented.