Investigation Urged on Flava, Philippines' Largest E-cigarette Brand
According to a report in the Philippine media Tribune on November 16th, Rufus Rodriguez, the representative of the second district of Cagayan de Oro, called for an investigation by Congress into the e-cigarette company Flava. The company claims to be the largest e-cigarette brand in the Philippines but is currently facing accusations of tax evasion and regulatory non-compliance.
Previously, during a search of Flava's warehouse, authorities discovered 14,000 boxes of e-cigarettes or tobacco products that were suspected to be illegal. These goods are estimated to have a total value of 1.428 billion Philippine pesos, which highlights the possibility of Flava engaging in tax evasion.
According to reports, Flava has allegedly been labeling its products as containing "freebase nicotine" instead of "nicotine salts," as the latter would incur higher consumer taxes. Independent testing reveals that Flava's products do indeed contain nicotine salts and benzoic acid.
Rodriguez also discovered that Flava's rapid market rise may be attributed to its so-called marketing strategy, which involves social media posts showing underage individuals using their products.
According to Philippine law RA 11900 or the "Regulation of Vape and Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems Act of 2019" Article 12, it is prohibited for companies to sell nicotine products to minors. Additionally, they are required to include health warnings in their promotional materials or online posts.
It has been alleged that Flava also sponsored events targeting minors, which is deemed a violation of Sections 13 and 14 of RA 11900.
Flava's business practices, particularly its marketing activities targeting minors, not only warrant legal scrutiny but also deserve moral condemnation. Such behavior undermines the integrity of our market and endangers the well-being of our young people," stated Rodriguez.
Notice
1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.
2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.
Copyright
This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.
This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.