PRESS RELEASE

Following the country’s first reported death due to vape-related lung injury, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its strategic enforcement efforts to ensure that no illicit vape products are allowed entry into the Philippine market. Pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act (RA) 11900 or the Vape Law and aligned with the government’s efforts to ensure consumer protection, DTI Secretary Fred Pascual emphasized the need to prevent the youth from gaining access to these vape products. “Marketing and selling vape products to ...

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is spearheading a robust whole-of-government approach to enforce the Vape Law and safeguard Filipino minors from the health risks of vaping. This comprehensive strategy prioritizes collaboration with various government agencies to ensure effective nationwide implementation.   “This comprehensive effort leverages the combined strength of various government agencies, with our enforcement unit actively conducting surveillance across markets throughout the country,” said DTI Secretary Fred Pascual. The DTI is working hand in hand with the Department of Education (DepEd) to ...

MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) significantly ramped up its enforcement of the Vape Law, yielding PHP 25,874,175 worth of illegal vape products in just the first five months of 2024. This surpasses the DTI’s total illegal vape seizure for the entire 2023 amounting to PHP 5,453,852. “Nearly halfway through the year, the significant rise in confiscated illegal vapes demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguard Filipino consumers, especially our youth. These results showcase our intensified efforts and we will not stop ...

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) seized over PHP 2.4 million worth of non-compliant steel products following several enforcement operations in the first trimester of 2024 The DTI, through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), confiscated a total of 7,723 units of uncertified steel products after inspecting hardware stores in the CALABARZON Region on February 27 and March 21, as well as in the National Capital Region on April 8. Yielding the highest value among the products confiscated were low carbon steel wires and ...

PARAÑAQUE CITY, PHILIPPINES – In a joint operation conducted on April 23, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine National Police-Southern Police District seized a total of 45,200 units of non-compliant vaporized nicotine, non-nicotine, and novel tobacco products valued at almost PHP 25 million. The buy-bust enforcement operation confiscated 452 boxes of vapes, each containing 100 units, valued at PHP 550 per unit, totaling PHP 24,860,000. The DTI-led inspection revealed that the establishment, which branded itself as a milk tea beverage outlet, was ...

  The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been coordinating with various government agencies when handling consumer policy inquiries. Under its ‘no wrong door policy”, the Consumer Protection Group (CPG) handles all inquiries referred to it, including those beyond its jurisdiction, by forwarding the same to the appropriate government agency for action. Under this policy, the DTI may extend its assistance to the consumer in following up on the status of the policy inquiry. Relative to this, the ConsumerNet is a networking and coordinating ...

The enhanced monitoring led by the DTI-FTEB Director Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali revealed that out of the 20 monitored retail firms, 7 non-compliant firms were issued with Notice of Violation (NOV), mandating them to submit an explanation within 48 hours from the receipt of notice. Vape shops were found violating provisions of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11900 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act” by selling vapor products appealing to minors, such as the presence of fruit animations, candy brand, dessert flavors; and packaging that ...