The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially released Department Administrative Order No. 25-09 (DAO25-09) (2025) Prescribing Guidelines on Identifying Illegal Flavor Descriptors Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, and Novel Tobacco Products —strengthening rules for detecting flavor descriptors that unduly appeal to minors, in line with the government’s commitment to protect youth and safeguard public health.

DAO25-09 (2025) pursuant to the DTI’s mandate under Republic Act No. 11900 (RA11900), or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, particularly Sections 12(a) and 12(j), which prohibit advertisements and packaging that target minors. This includes the use of cartoon characters, youth influencers or flavor descriptors referencing fruits, candies, desserts and branded sweets.

Violators will face penalties under RA11900, including applicable administrative fines and other sanctions under DTI regulations.

The DTI calls on manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers to comply with the new regulations on identifying flavor descriptors.

Violations may be reported to the DTI Office for the Special Mandate of Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, Their Devices and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV) via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. For consumer complaints involving vape products, individuals may register and file their concerns through the DTI Consumer Care System at ConsumerCare.dti.gov.ph.

Read the full DAO by scanning the QR code or clicking this link: https://dtiwebfiles.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/OSMV/Department+Administrative+Orders/%5BCTC%5D+DAO+25-09+DAO+ON+FLAVOR+DESCRIPTORS.PDF ♦

Date of Release: 07 August 2025