Makati City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) witnessed and condemned PHP 41,256,170.00 worth of illicit vapor products, including 88 illegal vape brands, from January to May 2025. The latest haul contributes to an estimated PHP 56,179,567.000 million worth of illicit vapor products confiscated by the DTI since 2023.

The operations were led by the DTI’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV) in coordination with the Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. These efforts align directly with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, which promotes a whole-of-government approach to strengthening law enforcement and consumer protection for a safer, healthier nation.

Beyond physical confiscations, the DTI also exercised its intensified enforcement by taking down 104,823,632 pages, posts, and lists in coordination with major digital platforms. Additionally, the Department has flagged 628 violative physical establishments and issued a total of 385 formal charges, show cause orders, and notices of violation. Currently, trading suspensions are imposed on 10 non-compliant brands.

This enforcement drive underscores the DTI’s commitment to the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11900 (RA11900), or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, bolstering its role in the broader inter-agency campaign to combat the illicit vape trade.

Common offenses among the seized products include the absence of tax stamps and/or Philippine Standard license marks and improper graphic health warnings in violation of Section 4 of RA11900. Non-compliant products were also found in violation of Section 12 for unduly packaging and marketing that appeal to minors, including fruity flavors, candy brands and cartoon characters.

Violators of these provisions may face the following penalties:

Section 4 (Packaging and Health Warnings)

• 1st offense: PHP 2,000,000 fine and up to 2 years of imprisonment;
• 2nd offense: PHP 4,000,000 fine and up to 4 years of imprisonment;
• 3rd offense: PHP 5,000,000 fine, up to 6 years of imprisonment, or both and potential license revocation.

Section 12 (Restrictions on Product Communications)

• 1st offense: PHP 100,000 fine;
• 2nd offense: PHP 200,000 fine;
• 3rd offense: PHP 400,000 fine, up to 3 years of imprisonment, or both, and potential license revocation.

The DTI OSMV urges all retailers, distributors and manufacturers to comply with RA11900 and avoid these violations to protect consumers, especially minors. Continued violations will result in confiscation of products, administrative penalties and product recalls.

The public is encouraged to report any violations of RA11900 to the DTI OSMV Communications Unit via email at OSMV@dti.gov.ph or OSMV_Comms@dti.gov.ph. For consumer complaints related to vape products, individuals may register and file their concerns through the DTI Consumer Care System via email at ConsumerCare@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of Release: 27 May 2025

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