Makati City, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) firmly disputes misleading social media posts from vape companies FLARE and SHFT. FLARE falsely claimed full compliance with regulations, while SHFT improperly shared unauthorized photos of DTI staff. These actions misrepresent the Department’s role and violate consumer protection laws.

Particularly, these violate RA 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, which prohibits false, deceptive, or misleading advertisements. Department Administrative Order No. 2 (2007) further reinforces this by prohibiting false and misleading information or concealing material facts.

For guidance of consumers, the DTI shared and clarified that only the following brands hold valid Philippine Standards (PS) Licenses and are authorized to sell vape products in the Philippine market at this time: DON BARS, KLIQ, ONE BAR, PHANTOM VAPE, RELX, TOMORO, TRUEZ, VAGEND, and X-VAPE.

The Department urges all vape businesses to secure and maintain valid PS Licenses to ensure their products meet the required safety and quality requirements. Non-compliance will result in penalties or suspension of trading.

Moreover, the DTI’s Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products, their Devices, and Novel Tobacco Products (OSMV) encourages consumers to be vigilant and report errant retailers.

Consumers can call the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or send an email to [email protected]. For vape-related concerns, send an email to [email protected] or visit https://old-dti.beesites.net/osmv/.

The DTI, through the OSMV, remains committed to upholding fair trade practices and protecting the welfare of Filipino consumers. ♦

Date of release: 10 December 2024