DTI: 93% of vape brands unregistered
The DTI reports 93% of e-cigarette brands in the Philippines are unregistered as lawmakers consider a unified excise tax.Summary
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) revealed that 93 percent of e-cigarette brands sold in the Philippines are unregistered, with 292 out of 313 brands lacking proper registration. Assistant Secretary Marcus Valdez II noted that the DTI has allowed distributors time to comply before imposing penalties. Additionally, two previously registered brands, Shift and Chillax, are facing cancellation. During a House Committee on Ways and Means hearing, Valdez emphasized the need to distinguish legitimate retailers from illicit sellers, noting that noncompliant establishments often operate at night. The DTI, along with the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, supports the unification of excise tax rates for nicotine salt and traditional freebase vapor products to strengthen enforcement.
(Source：The Manila Times)
