Tag: Philippines

Snowplus its Expands Operations in the Philippines

Photo: Snowplus
Snowplus of China is expanding its vaping business in the Philippines, reports The Philippine Star.
Co-founder and head of overseas markets Derek Li is confident the company can build a good distribution network in the country.
Snowplus has invested $2 million in quality and safety research since 2019 and has received over $150 million in financing, which is among the largest funding for any startup in the e-cigarette industry.
Snowplus has also committed to raising industry quality and standards to deliver safe and reliable e-cigarettes to consumers in the Philippines.
In line with new vapor industry regulations in China, Snowplus recently obtained permission to operate from the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration. The license authorizes the company to produce 80 million pods per year.
The company established three advanced scientific laboratories with equipment to test its products’ power supply and durability, among other characteristics.
“Consumers can trust Snowplus. We work only with the most reputable partners and deliver products of the highest quality that are 100 percent safe,” Li said.
October 7, 2022
Draft Rules for Vapor Products Coming in Philippines

Credit: Adobe Photo
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines is preparing the draft Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act or Vape Regulation law.
DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Protection Group Ruth Castelo, according to the Manila Bulletin, said at the Laging Handa Public Briefing that since the DTI has been designated as the implementing government agency, they will have to follow the law.
“Anytime soon or in a couple of days, we can start with consultation with the Food and Drug Administration and then public consultation,” said Castelo noting that they have a deadline to meet under the law to come up with the IRR. The law, which lapsed into law on July 25, 2022, directs DTI to come up with the IRR three months from its effectivity.
She said that DTI will lead in terms of testing the devices for the new tobacco alternative products. In fact, Castelo said that DTI testing equipment have been readied since 2021 yet.
But the FDA will lead or approve certifications when it comes to chemicals and health claims of the products.
The Vape law regulates the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as novel tobacco products. Under the law, manufacturers are given three months to notify the DTI prior to placing new nicotine products in the market.
August 11, 2022
Philippine President Allows Vaping Bill to Lapse Into Law

Photo: Dang
A bill seeking to lower the purchase age for e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products has lapsed into law in the Philippines, reports ABS-CBN, citing a tweet sent by Presidential Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles.
The measure moves the regulation of vapes to the Department of Trade and Industry from the Food and Drug Administration. It also lowers the age of sale from 21 to 18.
The proposal was reportedly submitted to the Presidential Palace on June 24, days before then President Rodrigo Duterte stepped down from office.
A bill will lapse into law if the chief executive fails to act on it 30 days after receipt from Congress, according to the Official Gazette.
The vape regulation bill was approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 18th Congress in January but remained on the Speaker’s table until the final days of the Duterte administration. As a consequence of its delayed transmission to the presidential office, the bill was inherited by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In addition to lowering the purchase age for e-cigarettes and heated-tobacco products, the bill removes a two-flavor limit on the products’ flavors or juices, allows sponsorships beyond industry associations and trade events and allows tobacco companies to conduct corporate social responsibility-related activities.
Anti-vape advocates vowed to contest the new legislation in court.
July 27, 2022
FDA in Philippines Wants Control of Vaping Devices

Credit: Carsten Reisinger
Regulation of e-cigarettes, vaping devices and other heated tobacco products (HTPs) must remain with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and not be transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines because these products concern public health, according to the FDA.
The FDA made its position clear in a statement it released in support of the Department of Health (DOH)’s request for a presidential veto of the Vape Bill (Senate Bill No. 2239 and House Bill No. 9007), which transfers regulatory jurisdiction of the products to the DTI, according to PhilStar Global.
“It is the DOH, through the FDA, which bears the constitutional mandate to protect every Filipino’s right to health, through establishing effective regulatory systems,” the FDA statement read.
Contrary to the proposed measure, the FDA said vape products and HTPs must be considered as health products instead of consumer products.
“This is especially as such products are being marketed by the industry as an alternative to conventional cigarettes, with some even claiming or implying that these products as being safer or less harmful,” the FDA said.
July 24, 2022
RELX Stops Offering Flavored Vapes in Philippines

Photo: Aliaksandr Barouski
RELX International is no longer selling flavored vape products in its outlets throughout the Philippines, according to the Manilla Standard.
Republic Act No. 11467 and Joint Memorandum Circular No. 003-2020 prohibit the manufacture, importation, sale, and distribution of vapor products with flavoring other than tobacco or menthol in the country.
Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Jan. 22, 2020, the act increases the excise tax rates on alcohol, heated tobacco, and vape products to generate funds for the government to deliver quality and affordable health care services.
RELX said the move reflects its commitment to support important reforms that will benefit the collection of tax revenues while catering to legal-age adult smokers, preventing access of e-cigarette among minors, and ensuring responsible and standard-compliant e-cigarettes in retail points across the country.
May 30, 2022
Vape Bill Still Sits on Philippine President Duterte’s Desk
Rodrigo Duterte – Credit: PCOO
On Jan. 25 this year, the Philippine Senate ratified the report of the bicameral conference committee, which reconciled the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2239 and House Bill No. 9007 which became the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act. The bill was then sent to President Rodrigo Duterte to sign the bill into law.
Nearly 90 days later, the vaping bill is still unsigned by the president.
Last year, the Senate approved Senate Bill No 2239, while the House of Representatives approved its counterpart version House Bill No 9007—both of which seek to regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and advertisement of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.
“This bill is meant to regulate vaporized nicotine products, non-nicotine products, and novel tobacco products. It is expected to encourage a shift from smoking the unhealthier cigarettes to these alternative less harmful products,” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto explained to the Inquire r .net.
While the public waits for Duterte’s decision, groups on both sides of the camp on the proposed law have been urging the President to push for the bill or veto the bill, citing the advantages and disadvantages of the use of vape products.
In January 2020, Duterte signed Republic Act 11467—or the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2020—which seeks to increase excise on alcohol products, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vapor products, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Under RA 11467, such products are regulated by the country’s Food and Drug Administration.
The measure, which is expected to be fully implemented this May, also prohibits the sale, purchase, and use of e-cigarettes or vapor products and HTPs to any person aged 21 years old and below and to non-smokers.
It likewise limits flavors of e-cigarettes or vapor products to only plain tobacco or plain menthol.
April 20, 2022
Duterte Continues to be Urged to Veto New Vape Bill
New regulations for the vaping industry continue to sit on President Rodrigo Duterte’s desk in the Philippines. Again last week, the country’s Department of Education (DoE) urged Duterte to veto the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act approved by the Senate on third and final reading last December 2021.
“As a government institution championing young Filipinos’ well-being, we are taking a stand against the so-called ‘anti-health’ vape bill, which will weaken existing law and the executive order against electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) commonly known as e-cigarettes or ‘vapes,’” according to a DoE statement.
Credit: Craitza
If passed into law, the proposed legislation will lower the access restriction age from 21 to 18 years old. The bill also permits online sales, and allows flavors other than plain tobacco and menthol, the only two flavors currently allowed by law.
The bill also prohibits celebrities or social media influencers from endorsing vapor products. Physical and online retailers or distributors must register with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
To underscore the danger it poses to the youth, the DoE stated that for school year 2020-2021, at least 870,000 learners in the basic education sector were 18 years old, while close to 1.1 million learners in senior high school were 18 to 20 years old.
“This is the number of learners who will become legally allowed to be marketed the harmful products once the bill becomes law,” the DoE stated, adding that young people are vulnerable to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse.
March 21, 2022
Vape Groups Urge Duterte to Sign Latest Vaping Bill

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The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) has written to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asking him to urgently sign the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act into law.
Both the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives have ratified the harmonized version of the act, which will regulate the use, manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and promotion of vaping and heated tobacco products. It now awaits the President’s signature or veto.
“The weight of the scientific evidence shows that potentially thousands of Filipino lives can be saved by making this act the law of the land,” wrote CAPHRA, backed by its expert advisory group and member organizations throughout the Asia Pacific region.
CAPHRA told Duterte that, when enacted, the legislation will provide 16 million Filipino smokers with the world’s most effective smoking cessation tool, saving the lives and enhancing the health of millions of Filipino smokers and their families, friends, and co-workers.
“Hundreds of peer-reviewed international scientific studies have found innovative smoke-free products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to be far less harmful than combustible tobacco and offer the best options to make smokers switch or quit,” wrote Nancy Loucas, executive coordinator of CAPHRA. “The act will ensure the regulation of these products, so that they meet government standards to protect consumers and will contribute revenue, via taxation.”
The letter said signing the act into law and giving Filipino smokers the option of choosing less harmful alternative nicotine products will create an enduring presidential legacy. It will prove to the world that Duterte is a leader who put the health and well-being of his people, based on science, above the special interests of foreigners.
February 28, 2022
Philippine Vaping Bill Heads to President Duterte’s Desk

Photo: Oleksii
The Philippine House of Representatives and Senate have ratified a vaping bill that critics describe as too industry friendly. The legislation will now be forwarded to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature.
Among other provisions, the bill transfers regulatory powers from the Food and Drug Administration to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and lowers the legal purchase and consumption age for vapor products from 21 to 18. The DTI is also in charge of setting technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of these smoking alternatives.
Philippine College of Physicians (COP) President Maricar Blanco-Limpin said he was particularly concerned about the lower vaping age. “We have been telling all the legislators that making these more available at a younger age is making these e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products more available to all including the non-smokers,” she told CNN Philippines.
Limpin said vape products could lead to health concerns and the “mandate to protect the health of the country falls under the FDA, not the DTI.”
If the President signs the measure, Blanco-Limpin said the COP would consider all actions, including bringing the issue to the Supreme Court.

January 30, 2022
Vape Bill Survives Philippine Bicameral Conference
Credit: Vitalii Vodolazskyi
The bicameral conference committee of the Congress of the Philippines on Wednesday approved a measure that would regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
The panel, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate contingents led by Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian and Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Ralph Recto, respectively, approved the report reconciling the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 9007 and Senate Bill 2239.
During the conference meeting, House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said the measure aims to offer an alternative for Filipinos who want to quit smoking, according to a press release. Recto, however, noted that while congress intends to push for the shift from smoking to vaping, the bill does not back its promotion “as a lifestyle.”
With the enactment of the bill into law, posts, messages, or images by manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers that encourage the purchase and use of vape products would be prohibited. The bill mandates the Department of Health to prescribe guidelines on the implementation of smoking and vaping restriction awareness campaigns.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), meanwhile, would consult with the Food and Drug Administration in setting technical standards for the safety, consistency, and quality of vape products. Manufacturers, distributors, importers, and sellers would then be given an 18-month transitory period from the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations to comply with the requirements of the measure.
This would include the registration of the vape products with the DTI. The report is up for ratification by both the House and the Senate. If successful, it would then head to President Rodrigo Duterte’s desk for a signature.
January 21, 2022