STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW VAPE LAW, DTI

Starting June 5, there will be a strict implementation on all vape products with the new Vape Law according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The agency said that the government will be very strict in implementing the new rules.

Under the Republic Act 11900 or the Vape Act, the DTI is mandated and concerned agencies to regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distributions, use and communication of vape devices and products in the country.

Marijuana oil will also be checked on vape products (Photo courtesy of Daily Tribune)

“On or after 5 June 2024, no vape products should enter the country, especially if they do not bear product standard (PS) marks/license or ICC marks,” said DTI-Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Amanda Nograles at the sidelines of a forum organized by the Bantay Konsumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3) in Makati, on the illicit trade of tobacco products at the Asian Institute of Management.

Nograles also said that the manufacturing and importation of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and novel tobacco products must undergo on the said standards before selling it on the market.

According to Nograles, at least three businesses have already submitted registration applications, and they encourage more to do the same as it might take some time. She stressed that all companies will have six months to comply during the transition period. 

“We will allow them to sell all the existing inventory. On January 5, 2025, we will do market clearing. There should be no vape products without a PS license and ICC sticker,” Nograles said.

The strict implementation of the new Vape Law is to protect the children and also for a possible increase in tax collection. 

Romeo Lumagui Jr., the Commissioner of BIR, advised the people to report any instances of smuggling to the police. This followed their recent findings in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur of houses that had been turned into stores. Smuggled cigarettes, with a corresponding tax liability of P219 million, were stacked in the homes.

“As we all know, vapes are mostly imported so we could not determine how much was smuggled. What we are only doing is enforcement if they are made inland. So, we are more concerned about whether the taxes are paid or not,” Atty. Venus Gatcales, chief of Excise Large Taxpayers Field Operations Division of the Bureau of Internal Revenue stated.

Source: Daily Tribune

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