
According to Tribune's report on August 15th, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have officially signed a cooperation agreement to jointly combat e-cigarette products containing illegal drug ingredients.
On August 8th, Assistant Secretary and Head of the Fair Trade Division of the DTI, Agaton Teodoro Uvero, and Deputy Director of PDEA, Virgilio Lazo, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) aimed at addressing e-cigarette products containing illegal drugs.
Uvero expressed that
This agreement utilizes the combined resources and expertise of the DTI and PDEA to ensure product safety and protect the public, especially our young people, from the invasion of illegal drugs including marijuana pods.
PDEA Director Lazo believes that establishing an action-oriented partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry is a positive step in addressing and dismantling the distribution networks of illegal drug products.
According to the memorandum, the PDEA will closely collaborate with the DTI and other relevant enforcement agencies to investigate any leads and intelligence related to illegal drug e-cigarette products and other consumer goods.
At the same time, the memorandum further reiterated that the DTI and PDEA will be dedicated to implementing Republic Act No. 11900 (the "e-cigarette law") and Republic Act No. 9165 (the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002").
Last month, the DTI issued Department Administrative Order No. 24-03 for 2024, which temporarily suspends the online sale of e-cigarettes in order to protect the health and safety of minors.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com