Tag: Graphic Health Warnings

  • Vapor Makers Urged to Implement Graphic Warnings

    Vapor Makers Urged to Implement Graphic Warnings

    Image: natatravel

    The Philippines’s Department of Health (DOH) is urging businesses, distributors and importers to start printing graphic health warnings (GHW) on vaporized products, reports Tribune.

    The first set of GHW templates for vape products is set to take effect on May 12.

    Under Republic Act No. 11900, also known as the Vape Law,

    Operators who fail to comply with the new rules risk fines of between PHP2 million and PHP5 million and imprisonment of up to six years.

    Manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers may also face revocation or cancellation of permits and licenses as well as immediate recall, ban, or confiscation of products at the direction of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

    In addition, foreign individuals found in violation risk deportation.

  • Australia Extends Graphic Warnings to Vape Devices

    Australia Extends Graphic Warnings to Vape Devices

    Potential new graphic health warnings as envisioned by Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care

    Australia will extend the requirement for manufacturers to print graphic health warnings on tobacco products to e-cigarettes, according to reports by CityNews and News. Manufacturers have until April 1, 2024, to roll out “repulsive” new health warnings on cigarette and vape packets. Retailers will be given a further three months to update their stock as new warning labels are gradually rolled out.

    On Dec. 7, the country’s federal parliament passed a law with measures to discourage smoking and vaping. Among other provisions, the legislation updates the health warnings on cigarette packages, standardizes the design and appearance of cigarette filters and applies tobacco advertising restrictions to vapor products.

    Earlier, Australia had announced a ban on single-use vapes that will take effect at the start of 2024. Starting in March, it will also be illegal to import or supply vapes that don’t comply with standards from the medical regulator. Doctors and nurses would still be able to prescribe therapeutic vapes as a tool to help smokers quit.

    Health Minister Mark Butler said the new smoking laws would save lives.

    “Tobacco has caused immeasurable harm and cost us countless lives in this country,” he told parliament. “We can’t stand by and allow another generation of people to be lured into addiction and suffer the enormous health, economic and social consequences.”

    About 20 percent of Australian 18-year-olds to 24-year-olds vape while about one in seven 14-year-olds to 17-year-olds use the product.

  • Philippines: Graphic Warnings for Vapor and Heated Tobacco

    Philippines: Graphic Warnings for Vapor and Heated Tobacco

    Photo: Manfred Schindler from Pixabay

    The Philippine government has ordered manufacturers, importers and sellers of vapor products and heated-tobacco products (HTPs) to print graphic health warnings on their packaging within 18 months, reports Business World. Sale of these products is now limited to those over the age of 21.

    The implementation of the graphic warnings is part of the country’s “sin tax” laws.

    The Department of Health will issue templates for the warnings, including for inserts and other advertising, outside packaging and labeling, and other packaging from domestic and overseas manufacturers.

    The Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will act as the regulating agencies for manufacturers, importers and sellers of vapor products and HTPs, with authority over packaging, advertising and distribution. The FDA will also conduct scientific studies on the health impact of these products.

    The Department of Budget and Management will determine how the tax funds from these products will be allocated and released to tobacco-producing provinces.

    The Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue will determine the rules for setting floor prices.