Vape brands FLARE and SHFT are likely to lose their licenses following cases of misleading claims on social media monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The DTI said FLARE falsely asserts full compliance with regulations, while SHFT improperly shared unauthorized photos of DTI personnel.
The DTI said both companies misrepresent the agency’s role and violate consumer protection laws, including Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, which prohibits false, deceptive or misleading advertisements.
Department Administrative Order No. 2 (2007) also explicitly bans the dissemination of false or misleading information and the concealment of material facts.
The DTI said brands such as Don Bars, KLIQ, ONE Bar, Phantom Vape, RELX, Tomoro, TRUEZ, Vagend and X-Vape have valid Philippine Standard (PS) licenses and are authorized to sell in the Philippine market.
The DTI urged all vape businesses to secure and maintain valid PS licenses to ensure their products meet the required safety and quality standards before distribution.
It warned violators that non-compliance to the regulation will result in penalties or suspension of trading.
The Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV) encourages consumers to report errant retailers.
