Breaking news: Philippines suspends sales of five e-cigarette brands including LOST MARY and Chillax

Breaking news: Philippines suspends sales of five e-cigarette brands including LOST MARY and Chillax

The Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines has suspended the sale of five e-cigarette brands, including LOST MARY, Chillax, SHFT Dr. Freeze, Aerogin, Don Bars and Black Elite. It is reported that these brands were charged for violating Section 4 (d) of Republic Act 11900.

On September 6, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines issued an announcement that the DTI suspended the sale of five e-cigarette brands, including LOST MARY, Chillax, SHFT Dr. Freeze, Aerogin, Don Bars and Black Elite, for suspected violations of the e-cigarette law.

The announcement shows that these brands have been formally accused of violating Section 4 (d) of Republic Act No. 11900, which is the "Atomized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Management Act".

Image source: DTI official website

Cartography: Two Supremacies

The announcement mentioned that according to Section 11 of Executive Order No. 913 issued in 1983, the trading of these brands will be suspended until the results of the formal charges are out. At the same time, the product standard licenses (PS licenses) of several brands have also been suspended, and the fine for the first violation is 2 million pesos (about 36,000 US dollars), the second is 4 million pesos, and the third is 5 million pesos and the license is revoked.

The announcement stated that the Office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines, which is responsible for atomized nicotine and non-nicotine products and their devices and new tobacco products (OSMV), also issued a policy guide on Republic Act No. 11900, clearly pointing out the elements of violation to ensure the orderly implementation of regulations and give a uniform and predictable approach to formal charges.