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DTI readies Vape Law's IRR


The Department of Trade and Industry is already in the process of preparing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Vape Bill, which essentially regulates the manufacture and sale of vape  and tobacco products.

Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo on Wednesday said the DTI will start its consultations with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the next few days.

“‘Pag ka naayos sa dalawang ahensya, ilalabas for public consultation… Nagmamadali rin po tayo para siguradong ma-implement natin nang maayos ang Vape Law,” she said during a public briefing.

(Once consultation between the two agencies is fixed, we will bring this out for public consultation… We are also rushing to ensure that we implement the Vape Law properly.)

Late last month, Malacañang confirmed that the controversial measure lapsed into law, transferring the regulatory powers over the products from the FDA to the DTI.

A number of stakeholders including the Departments of Health and Education, medical groups, and lawmakers had called on President Bongbong Marcos to veto the proposed law.

Senator Pia Cayetano earlier expressed disappointment over the lapsing of the bill into law, as she insisted that the Sin Tax Law was already enough to regulate the use of vapes.

But Castelo said the DTI will only follow what is provided for in the measure, and that any health concerns under vape products will be under the FDA.

“Kung walang health claim, magiging automatic na sa DTI and we’re ready. Kung gusto po ng batas o binibigay sa atin ‘yung responsibilidad, hindi natin siya tatanggihan at nagpre-prepare na po tayo para magawa natin ‘to,” she said.

(If there is no health claim, it will automatically fall under DTI and we’re ready. If the law gives us the responsibility, we will work on it and we are already preparing to do so.) —LBG, GMA News

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