The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and the Narcotics Enforcement Bureau signed a memorandum of cooperation to crack down on illegal drug e-cigarette distribution networks
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The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and the Narcotics Enforcement Bureau signed a memorandum of cooperation to crack down on illegal drug e-cigarette distribution networks
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines and the Philippine Narcotics Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly combat e-cigarette products containing illegal drug ingredients and protect young people from such products.
According to Tribune on August 15, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines and the Philippine Narcotics Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have officially signed a cooperation agreement to jointly combat e-cigarette products containing illegal drug ingredients.
On August 8, Agaton Teodoro Uvero, Assistant Secretary of the DTI and Head of the Fair Trade Group, and Virgilio Lazo, Deputy Director of the PDEA, officially signed a Memorandum of Cooperation Agreement (MOA). This memorandum aims to deal with e-cigarette products containing illegal drug ingredients.
Ubero said,
"This agreement leverages the combined resources and expertise of the DTI and PDEA to ensure product safety and protect the public, especially our youth, from the intrusion of illegal drugs, including marijuana cartridges."
PDEA Director Lazo believes that the action-oriented partnership with the DTI is a proactive step to address and dismantle drug product distribution networks.
According to the MOU, PDEA will work closely with the DTI and other relevant law enforcement agencies to detect and investigate any leads and intelligence involving illegal drug e-cigarette products and other consumer products.
Meanwhile, the MOU further reaffirms that the DTI and PDEA will be committed to the implementation of Republic Act No. 11900, or the E-Cigarette Act, and Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Last month, the DTI issued Departmental Administrative Order No. 24-03 of 2024, suspending the online sale of e-cigarettes to protect the health and safety of minors.
