Group Lauds Government For Passing Vape Bill

The Philippine E-cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) congratulated the Government for passing the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, also known as the Vape Regulation Bill, which lapsed into law last July 24, 2022.

“We believe that the enactment and implementation of the Vape Bill will help 16 million Filipino adult smokers kick the deadly habit for good with the help of less harmful alternatives while providing protection for minors”, said Joey Dulay, President of PECIA.

“It will also ensure that all nicotine delivery systems in the country are properly regulated and appropriate penalties for violators are imposed so that minors and non-smokers can’t use them,” Dulay added.

Through the Vape Regulation Law, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is tasked with working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish technical standards for the security, reliability, and quality of vape products.

The DTI, on its own, now has the power to enforce the regulation of nicotine and non-nicotine vape products and may scrutinize the specifications of vaping devices, vape juice contents (nicotine concentration, the presence of other chemicals, etc.), and their product packaging. Primarily, the scrutiny of packaging is to ensure that they do not appeal to a younger market.

As for the Department of Health (DOH), it is required by new law to set standards for the execution of information campaigns that raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and vaping. The campaigns, as with actual tobacco products, should inform consumers that those who can buy, sell, and use vape products should be at least 18 years old.

In an advisory to its members, PECIA then encouraged its roster to fully comply with the provisions and regulations of the Vape Regulation Law. “We welcome the passage of the [Vape Regulation Law] as it supports the continued growth of the legitimate tax-paying industry while providing for fair and reasonable regulations of VNNP [Vaporized Nicotine and Non-nicotine Products]. The success of the law also primarily rests on the due compliance of the industry, PECIA members,” Dulay wrote in the advisory. “PECIA advises all its members and the industry to strictly comply with the provisions of RA no. 11900 and tax regulations to avoid any unnecessary disruption to your business operations, payment of fines, and imposition of penalties including imprisonment,” he concluded.