Recently, according to a report from the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the Department of Trade and Industry in Negros Oriental, Philippines, has warned merchants that selling e-cigarettes, as well as electronic nicotine or nicotine-free products, to minors will result in serious penalties. The legal age for purchasing e-cigarettes has been lowered from 21 to 18 years old.
Ministry of Trade spokesperson Krystle Jade Bato stated that this measure is in line with the law that lowers the minimum purchasing age for e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine, or non-nicotine vaping products from 21 to 18 years old.
Bartow stated, "Due to the Adjustment of the legal age for purchasing e-cigarettes under the 'Republic Act No. 11900' or the 'Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Vaping Products Control Act', the Ministry of Trade and Commerce is conducting a campaign to prohibit the sale of these products to minors in order to safeguard their health and safety."
The Ministry of Commerce has collaborated with a group opposed to e-cigarettes and similar products that replace traditional tobacco cigarettes to facilitate information dissemination and promotional activities aimed at protecting adolescents and preventing them from becoming addicted to nicotine, she added.
Those who violate this rule will face fines of up to 2 million Philippine pesos (approximately $35,720 USD).
In addition, the "Republic Act 11900" also specifies the display and sale of e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine, or nicotine-free vapor products in certain locations and points of sale (such as vending machines). Barto pointed out that merchants selling these products must request age verification from consumers, especially young people, before making a sale.
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