E-cigarettes in Philippines

Global business and regulatory news and updates from the vape industry

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Daily regulatory tracking of the e-cigarette sector. It includes weekly podcasts and monthly compilations

9th September 2024: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has suspended the sales of five vape brands for alleged violations of the Vape Law (Republic Act 11900) – specifically, points of the law related to the internal revenue fiscal marking requirements. The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in effect until the formal charges are resolved.
5th September 2024: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry has issued department order 24-154. The order defines elements of the offences drawn up in Republic Act 11900, which regulates e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and novel tobacco products. It also sets definitions of violations of packaging and health warning rules, product restriction rules, minimum age sale and purchase, online trade and sales restrictions, among others.
30th July 2024: Philippines: The Supreme Court has affirmed its 2021 decision ruling that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulatory authority over the health aspect of tobacco products, enabling the Department of Health (DOH) and the FDA to regulate them. The DOH lauded the decision and said it recognises this as “a significant victory for public health. It is a decisive step against the tobacco industry’s attempt to circumvent regulations”. Although only tobacco products are mentioned, we believe the decision also encompasses vaping products.
24th July 2024: Philippines: The House Ways and Means Committee approved a substitute to bill 10329, which requires tobacco and vaping companies to implement a digital track-and-trace system to prevent illicit trade. All tobacco and vaping products would need to have a stamp affixed, allowing authorities to determine where and when the product was manufactured. The bill will now go to its second reading in the House of Representatives.
22nd July 2024: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued the Department Administrative Order 24-03, series of 2024, which suspends online sales of vapour products and devices. According to DTI secretary Fred Pascual, the order aims to safeguard youth and prioritise public health. Pascual added that it will also hold manufacturers and importers responsible for illegal or defective products. He told the press that it is a temporary suspension until the e-marketplaces are “able to convince” the DTI that the products are in compliance with the law. The order takes effect immediately.
17th July 2024: China: According to trade data from the General Administration of Customs published in the press, in May 2024, e-cigarette exports to France totalled approximately $14.4m, representing a month-on-month increase of 13.5% but a year-on-year decrease of 1.9%, while e-cig exports to the Philippines amounted to approximately $12.3m, recording a month-on-month increase of 145.3% but a year-on-year decline of 22.7%.
11th July 2024: Philippines: Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla of the majority bloc Philippine Democratic Party has filed Senate Bill 2729, which seeks to amend the Vape Law to ban HHC e-cigarettes. The bill also provides that manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and consumers of HHC-containing e-cigarettes will be punished based on the penalties under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
25th June 2024: Philippines: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has said that the total tax liability from confiscated illegal cigarettes and vapes amounted to more than PHP7bn ($119m) this year. It did not differentiate between the confiscated value of each product, but said that more than 170,000 vape products were seized. BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the raids are being conducted nationwide, targeting not only retailers but also warehouses. As of 1st June, all vape products must carry tax stamps.
20th June 2024: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will start punishing stores selling unregistered vape products as of September, press reports. Assistant secretary Amanda Nograles of the DTI’s Consumer Protection Group said: “Vape manufacturers and importers must register as early as now, because if the products have no Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) applications or the manufacturers don’t have a Philippine Standard (PS) licence, these products won’t be able to enter the country. We have time until September 2024 – the old inventory must be sold out by then.”
10th June 2024: Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced a robust approach to enforce Republic Act 11900 (Vape Law), which regulates e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. Among the measures is a partnership with local government units (LGUs) to establish a centralised local registry of licensed vape outlets. “Our top priority remains to protect the health and well-being of our future generation. Let this serve as a strong warning that the DTI will not tolerate blatant disregard for the Vape Law,” said DTI secretary Fred Pascual.
5th June 2024: Philippines: The Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-BPS) issued the first batch of approved vaping products under the Philippine Standards (PS). DTI-Consumer Protection Group undersecretary Amanda Nograles told the press: “On or after 5th June 2024, no vape products should enter the country, especially if they do not bear product standard (PS) marks/license or ICC [Import Commodity Clearance] marks.” Currently, one vaping product, from Shenzhen Adwell Technology, is listed.
9th May 2024: Philippines: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to expand and strengthen their efforts against smuggling of tobacco and vape products. BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. told the president that his agency has intensified its crackdown against smuggled vape products and is going to implement a tax stamp system to determine those that are illicit. As of 1st June 2024, all manufactured or imported vapour products have to carry the internal revenue stamp, according to Revenue Memorandum Circular 105-2023.

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