DTI issues 20,000 notices of violation vs. online sale of banned vape products

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday said it has issued more than 20,000 notices of violation against online stores selling banned vape products.

At the PTV public briefing, DTI undersecretary Ruth Castelo said the department has been monitoring online sellers to track down those selling illegal vape products.

“Naka-monitor kami sa lahat ng online sellers. Meron tayong designated teams or units sa Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau na walang ginawa sa maghapon kung hindi mag-monitor ng online stores, kasama itong vape. Meron na tayong nakasuhan sa kanila na, na-isyuhan ng notices of violation, and they will have to respond to DTI, otherwise magtutuloy-tuloy yung kaso nila hanggang sa mapatawan sila ng penalty,” she said.

(We are monitoring all online sellers. We have designated teams or units at the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau that monitor online stores, including vape sellers. We have already filed cases against some and issued notices of violation, and they will have to respond to DTI, otherwise their case will continue until they are penalized.)

“We have around 22,000 na online stores including platforms and individual merchants na na-isyuhan ng notice of violation at kailangan nilang sumagot at magpunta sa DTI to represent themselves and defend themselves kung sakali mang mayroon silang depensa,” she added.

(Around 22,000 online stores including platforms and individual merchants have been served with a notice of violation and they have to answer and go to the DTI to represent themselves and defend themselves in case they have a defense.)

Castelo said the DTI has confiscated around P3.5 million worth of prohibited vape products and closed some stores.

The DTI also earlier confiscated flavored vape products which are banned on the market at a store in Sampaloc, Manila.

Under Republic Act 11900 or Vaporized Nicotine and Non-nicotine Regulation Act, vape products with colorful packaging are strictly prohibited as well as those with flavors like strawberry ice cream or watermelon bubble sugar.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will go after minors who are smoking and vaping outside schools, adding that they will focus more on the students, especially minors, who smoke cigarettes or use vape, and will handle the case in accordance with existing laws and local ordinances. — BM, GMA Integrated News