Pursuant to Executive Order No. 913 (1983), or “Strengthening the Rule-making and Adjudicatory Powers of the Minister (now Secretary) of Trade and Industry”, Preliminary Orders and Preventive Measures Pending Formal Investigation Orders have been issued against the following vape brands:

BrandManufacturerImporter
SHFT & DR FREEZEShenzhen Adwell Technology Co. LTDSHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC
AEROGIN & DON BARSGenome Flavor TechnologyAerogin Consumer Electronics Trading Corporation
CHILLAXShenzhen Weimei Electronic Technology Co., LTD.SHFT Electronic Gadgets Trading OPC
BLACK ELITEShenzhen x Black Vape Technology Co. LTD.Jey 888 Trading Corporation
LOST MARYZCREW International, Inc.Dongguan Airv Technology Co., LTD

Formal charges have been filed against these brands for violating Section 4(d) of Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. In accordance with Section 11 of Executive Order No. 913 (1983), trading of these brands is effectively suspended pending resolution of the formal charges. The PS Licenses of SHFT, DR FREEZE, AEROGIN, DON BARS, and CHILLAX have also been suspended. The penalties for selling or trading these products are PHP2 million for the first offense, PHP4 million for the second offense, PHP5 million and cancellation of licenses for the third offense.

The DTI Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV) has also recently released a policy advisory on the Elements of Offenses Provided Under Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, recognizing the need to define the elements of the offenses to ensure orderly enforcement of the law and establish uniform and predictable resolutions to formal charges. It can be accessed through its official website: https://www.dti.gov.ph/archives/advisories-archives/republic-act-11900/. The DTI encourages consumers to report erring retailers, distributors, and manufacturers through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or consumercare@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of release: 06 September 2024

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