BAGUIO CITY —The Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force, composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), LGU Baguio, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), conducted a compliance monitoring activity on vape sellers in the City on 09 March 2023.
The monitoring puts into action the provisions of the Vape Law or RA No. 11900, the Sin Tax Law, and the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance. The Vape Law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) provides an 18-month transitory period for the requirements on product standards and registration. However, the remaining provisions are immediately executory upon the law’s effectivity.
As a result of the monitoring, three establishments were tagged and directed to appear before the DTI Baguio-Benguet Provincial Office for a preliminary hearing. During the hearing, the owners executed an undertaking admitting their violations leading to the voluntary surrender of vape products and juices with a total value of PHP 426,000.00. Also, part of the undertaking is their declaration to cease committing the same infractions.
Per the record, the establishments committed the following infractions:
- Violation of the Health Warnings, both graphic and textual on the Packaging;
- Violation on the packaging, labeling, presenting, or marketing of vape products with flavor descriptors that are proven to appeal particularly to minors; and,
- Violation of the Tamper-Resistant and Child-Resistant receptacle design.
The confiscated items are scheduled for destruction and proper disposal with the assistance of the Baguio City Health Services.
The Department encourages all establishments engaged in the sale of vape products to carefully read RA 11900 and its IRR to be guided.
Date of release: 09 March 2023
