The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Fair-Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) suspended the sale, manufacturing, import, and distribution of Flava Corporation’s vape products effective March 15.
The FTEB adjudication division released the preliminary order, citing Executive Order No. 913 and Department Order No. 07, Series of 2006. The measure aims to curb alleged violations involving the said products.
Flava Corporation is accused of breaching Republic Act No. 11900, commonly known as the Vape Law, which prohibits certain marketing tactics, including the use of flavor descriptors and celebrity endorsements.
The suspension is consistent with DTI Secretary Fred Pascual’s directive to remove non-compliant products from the market, underscoring his agency’s commitment to enforce government policies, support legitimate business, and ensure consumer safety.
The Vape Law strictly prohibits the use of flavor descriptors appealing to minors, such as fruit flavors or references to candies, desserts, or cartoons. Moreover, it bans the involvement of celebrities in endorsing or advertising vape products.
The DTI’s intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts, both offline and online, underscore its determination to prevent the sale and illegal trade of vape products targeting minors.
Recent operations by law enforcement agencies, such as the Bureau of Customs and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police, revealed significant smuggling activities related to vape products, leading to heightened scrutiny and enforcement actions.
With the regulatory jurisdiction over vape products vested in the DTI under RA 11900, the government remains resolute in its efforts to regulate the importation, sale, and distribution of vape products, ensuring that public health and safety remain paramount. Retailers and manufacturers are urged to comply with the law and take necessary precautions to avoid penalties.