A joint operation of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine National Police-Southern Police District seized a total of 45,200 units of non-compliant vaporized nicotine, non-nicotine, and novel tobacco products valued at almost P25 million, its biggest haul so far.
The buy-bust enforcement operation confiscated 452 boxes of vapes, each containing 100 units, valued at P550 per unit, totaling P24.86 million.
The DTI-led inspection revealed the establishment, which branded itself as a milk tea beverage outlet, was located near an elementary school. This establishment violated Section 9 of the Vape Law or Republic Act (RA) No. 11900, which prohibits the sale of vape products within 100 meters of areas frequented by minors. It also violated Section 12 by packaging, labeling, presenting, and marketing vape products with flavor descriptors that appeal to minors.
The inspection revealed the shop was selling banned Flava products, packaged with flavor descriptors.
The DTI had previously issued a preliminary order against Flava Corp., halting its operations on March 15, 2024, pursuant to Executive Order No. 913 and Department Order No. 07, Series of 2006.
This is the biggest haul so far of the DTI since it started monitoring vapes in February.
