P25-M worth of vape confiscated after shop fronting as milk tea store raided in Baclaran

Authorities raided a vape shop posing as a milk tea store near a school in Baclaran, Paranaque City.

According to a 24 Oras report by Bernadette Reyes, the shop allegedly violated multiple laws, such as operating without a business permit and for also selling banned flavored vapes.

The Department of Trade and Industry- Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau and the Philippine National Police Southern Police District Special Operation Unit confiscated over a hundred boxes of vape and paraphernalia worth around P26 million.

The owner, who is allegedly a foreign national, may also be charged for violating the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-nicotine Products Regulations Act.

“Unang-una yung paggamit ng flavor descriptors that unduly appeal to minors. Nakita natin examples cappuccino, grape, meron pa dyan mango, watermelon. Pangalawa yung pag-gamit ng lanyards na nag appeal din sa minors,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles.

(First is the use of flavor descriptors that unduly appeal to minors. We have seen examples of cappuccino, grape, mango and watermelon. Second is the use of lanyards that also appeal to minors.)

Under Republic Act 11900 or Vaporized Nicotine and Non-nicotine Products Regulation Act, the selling of vape is prohibited within 100 meters of a school.

However, the shop is only a few steps from Baclaran Elementary School.

On the second day that GMA Integrated News arrived at the shop to get a statement, the owners were still nowhere to be found.

The owners have already been given a notice of violation to explain while the DTI is studying possible charges.

“Kung sa pagtingin ng prosecutor, may probable cause magfa-file sya ng pormal kaso na ipapasa nya sa adjudication division,” said DTI-FTEB Director Fhillip Sawali. 

(If the prosecutor sees there is probable cause, he will file a formal case that will be forwarded to the adjudication division.)

In addition to violating the Vape Law, the store also does not have a business permit or DTI registration.

DTI noted that it had prohibited the brand “Flava” since March 2024 as it sells flavored vape, which entices younger individuals to take up the habit.—RF, GMA  Integrated News