Philippines Proposes Mandatory Vape Advertising Permits
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines is moving to tighten regulations on the vaping industry by proposing a mandatory permitting system for all advertising and sales promotion materials. Through a draft Department Administrative Order (DAO), the DTI is seeking public and stakeholder feedback on this new policy, which covers vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, devices, and novel tobacco products.
Under the proposed rules, no advertisement or promotional material can be released without first obtaining an Advertisement Permit (AP) or a Sales Promotion Permit (SPP) from the Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products (OSMV). Applications must be filed at least 30 days before the intended publication date. An SPP covers campaigns designed to boost sales or consumer participation (e.g., contests with prizes), while an AP applies to mass media communications about product features. Campaigns are limited to one year, with a possible six-month extension.
To secure a permit, applicants must submit comprehensive documentation, including business registration and copies of the promotional material. Crucially, brick-and-mortar stores must provide certification proving they are not located within 100 meters of schools, playgrounds, or areas frequented by minors. The draft DAO also reinforces the Vape Law (RA No. 11900) by mandating strict age-gating mechanisms. Online platforms must require users to self-declare they are at least 18 years old before viewing vape-related content, and campaigns leading to purchases must implement “hard age-gating measures.” This initiative follows calls from the Department of Health for stricter controls to prevent youth access and misleading health claims.
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