Eleven vape stores in Agusan del Norte, Philippines meet standard regulatory requirements

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-ADN) in Agusan del Norte province has further strengthened its supervision of 11 currently-owned e-cigarette stores in the province as well as in the city, Philippine news outlet pna reported on June 27.

 

In a statement on Tuesday, DTI-ADN said the oversight activities include random checks on the physical verification and compliance of e-cigarette stores to ensure that they have the necessary business documents to operate legally.

 

“This move is in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 11900, the Atomized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulatory Act,” DTI-ADN said.

 

The statute regulates the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and dissemination of atomized nicotine and non-nicotine products and new tobacco products.

 

DTI-ADN said the vast majority of the 11 e-cigarette stores in the cities of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte and Butuan were found to be in compliance with RA11900 and the implementing regulations of RA11346 and 11467.

 

RA11346 provides for an increase in excise taxes on tobacco products and imposes excise taxes on heated tobacco products and atomized products, while RA11467 is an amendment to several provisions of the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code (RANo. 8424).

 

As defined by the law, DTI-ADN said the sale of e-cigarettes within 100 meters of schools, public playgrounds, youth hostels and recreational facilities frequented by minors is strictly prohibited.

The agency also reminded consumers to look for signs and graphic designs that e-cigarette stores must display.

 

These signs and graphic designs indicate that “it is illegal to sell or provide vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products to persons under the age of 18” and that “e-cigarette products are harmful and contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance.