Philippines Government Urges Removal of Illegal E-Cigarette Merchants

Apr.30.2023
Philippines Government Urges Removal of Illegal E-Cigarette Merchants
The Philippines recommends e-commerce platforms remove over 15,000 illegal e-cigarette merchants to comply with new regulations.

On April 29, the Philippine government reportedly suggested that e-commerce platforms remove over 15,000 non-compliant electronic cigarette vendors, as reported by the Philippine Star.


Ruth Castelo, the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry in the Philippines, announced that her department has been monitoring nearly 15,000 online sellers of electronic cigarettes who have been found to have committed illegal acts. The department has recommended that these non-compliant sellers be removed from the platforms.


On December 28, 2022, the Philippines' "Regulation Act on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products" will take effect, whereby unregistered electronic cigarette products will be subject to the provisions of the law.


Castro stated that if the online platform adheres strictly, there is no need to cancel the sales of the product.


Despite identifying which products cannot be sold, some products still manage to evade detection.


As previously reported by 2FIRSTS, the Consumer Protection Group (CPG) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued a stern warning to e-commerce platforms that sell electronic cigarette products to minors. CPG believes that the packaging of these e-cigarettes is highly attractive to underage individuals.


At the time, Castro strongly reminded platforms at the meeting to abide by the law, particularly to ensure that minors cannot access e-cigarette products.


Further reading:


The Philippine e-commerce platform Lazada has been urged to remove illegal electronic cigarette products from its site.


2. The Philippines may include tobacco in its anti-smuggling bill. 3. The Department of Trade and Industry in the Philippines plans to crack down on online platforms that sell illegal e-cigarettes.


References:


shops 【2】In its ongoing crackdown against illegal vape shops, the government has announced plans to shut down an additional 15,000 stores that are not complying with regulations. This move is part of the government's efforts to reduce the number of underage vapers and to ensure that vape products are sold in a safe and responsible manner. The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some calling it a necessary step while others are concerned about the impact on small businesses and adult smokers who rely on vaping as a way to quit smoking.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Russia dismantles illegal vape liquid plant near Moscow; goods worth about $13 million seized
Russia dismantles illegal vape liquid plant near Moscow; goods worth about $13 million seized
Russian authorities say they have dismantled an illegal vape-liquid production site in the Moscow region, seizing four production lines, large quantities of components and finished goods, and substantial cash. The Interior Ministry estimated the seized products’ value at about 1 billion rubles (≈$13 million) and said the operation ran around the clock, producing up to 75,000 units per shift.
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
As next-generation nicotine products become economically central rather than marginal, traditional volume-based metrics are increasingly unable to explain consumption, risk, and value. Units designed for a cigarette-based economy struggle to describe systems defined by delivery speed, pharmacokinetics, and adaptive user behavior. Drawing on financial reporting, regulation, and nicotine science, a fundamental question: can the future of nicotine still be measured using the tools of its past?
Feb.09 by Alan Zhao | 2Firsts Perspectives
PMI reshuffles U.S. footprint: Swedish Match to shut Richmond office in April; most staff may be relocated
PMI reshuffles U.S. footprint: Swedish Match to shut Richmond office in April; most staff may be relocated
Swedish Match, a unit of Philip Morris International (PMI), will close its office in Richmond, Virginia, in April 2026 and eliminate 135 positions. PMI said the move is tied to adjustments in its U.S. operating footprint.
Feb.03
Reynolds Appeals ITC Defeat in Disposable Vape Section 337 Case to U.S. Federal Circuit
Reynolds Appeals ITC Defeat in Disposable Vape Section 337 Case to U.S. Federal Circuit
On March 13, 2026, R.J. Reynolds and related companies filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, seeking review of the U.S. International Trade Commission’s final ruling in the disposable vape Section 337 investigation.
Mar.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Fifth Circuit Upholds FDA’s 2021 PMTA Rule, Citing Statutory Health-Study Requirements
Fifth Circuit Upholds FDA’s 2021 PMTA Rule, Citing Statutory Health-Study Requirements
A Fifth Circuit panel upheld the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2021 final rule requiring companies seeking premarket authorization for new tobacco products to include information on health-risk investigations. In a published opinion, the court found FDA satisfied the Regulatory Flexibility Act’s procedural requirements and reasonably relied on the economic analysis from the 2016 “deeming rule” as a factual basis to certify limited impact on small businesses.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Canadian Border Officers Seize Contraband Worth CAD 4.5 Million at Point Edward Crossing
Canadian Border Officers Seize Contraband Worth CAD 4.5 Million at Point Edward Crossing
The Canada Border Services Agency said border officers at the Point Edward port of entry in Sarnia, Ontario, seized more than CAD 4.5 million worth of illegal tobacco and nicotine vapes over a seven-day period. The agency said the contraband was entering Canada from the United States and described the seizure as part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal products from entering the country and disrupt organized crime.
Mar.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai