From January to May 2025. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines confiscated illegal vape products worth 41.2 million pesos (740,000 US dollars), covering 88 unauthorized brands. DTI, in collaboration with multiple departments, has deleted over 104 million violations on e-commerce and social platforms, marked 628 non-compliant enterprises and issued 385 legal notices. Currently, 10 brands have had their transactions suspended.
Philippine DTI: $740,000 worth of illegal vapes have been seized this year
According to thephilbiznews on May 28th. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal vape products, confiscating illegal vape nicotine and non-nicotine products worth 41.2 million pesos (740,000 US dollars) between January and May 2025.
In a press release. DTI announced that these products were unsafe and not suitable for public use, and warned retailers and online sellers to abide by the regulations, otherwise they would face severe penalties.
DTI pointed out that there were violations, such as the lack of tax invoices. Philippine Standard (PS) license marks, and incorrect health warnings, and stated that this was a public health issue.
628 non-compliant entities
It was also found that many products were deliberately packaged to attract minors, including those with fruit flavors, cartoon characters and candy-shaped brands – clearly in violation of Republic Act 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-nicotine Products Administration Act.
Remove 100 million offending messages
This operation was carried out in collaboration with the Office of Special Authorization for Vaporized Nicotine and Phenygodin Products (OSMV) of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines. The Department of Customs, the Philippine National Police, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Division of the Philippine National Police.
In addition to the criminals seized on the spot. The Ministry of Trade and Industry also reported that more than 104 million digital entries (including pages, posts and product lists) on major e-commerce and social media platforms had been deleted.
The department also marked 628 non-compliant entities and issued 385 formal charges, subpoenas and violation notices. Ten non-compliant vape brands have had their trading suspended.
Those who violate RA 11900 will face huge fines and may even be sentenced to prison.
Regarding packaging and labeling violations (Part 4) :
- The first crime: A fine of 2 million pesos, with a maximum of 2 years in prison
- The second violation: A fine of 4 million pesos, with a maximum of 4 years
- The third violation: A fine of 5 million pesos, up to six years in prison, or revocation of driver’s license
Regarding marketing violations targeting minors (Article 12) :
- The first violation: A fine of 100,000 pesos
- The second violation: A fine of 200,000 pesos
- The third violation: A fine of 400,000 pesos, up to three years in prison, and the license may be revoked
DTI urges all vape retailers, manufacturers and distributors to fully comply with RA 11900 to avoid legal consequences and protect consumers, especially teenagers, from harmful and counterfeit products.
