A MAJOR industry group expressed support for the Vape Bill, which it said, will regulate the trade of vapes or e-cigarettes to make sure only legitimate products are made available to the public, while boosting government revenue.

Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), the largest umbrella group composed of 168 companies and business organizations, said the regulation of online sales under the Vape Bill is “very timely given the widespread shift to e-commerce from traditional trade channels.”

FPI chairman and anti-illicit trade advocate Jesus Arranza said the reforms under the Vape Bill would make it difficult for unscrupulous, unregistered and non-taxpaying traders to peddle smuggled goods to innocent consumers online.

“All these also guarantee correct, adequate and stable collection of taxes for the government while at the same time safeguarding local employment and investment of legitimate industries,” he said.

The FPI reiterated that the signing of the Vape Bill into law will reduce the illicit trade of cigarette alternatives and boost government revenues. It said the bill will provide a “sweet spot for achieving the government’s revenue and health objectives.”

Once signed into law, the Vape Bill will regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use, and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as novel tobacco products.

It will also empower the Department of Trade and Industry to order a recall or confiscation of non-compliant smoke-free products sold online and in physical store. This will also ensure that the trade of cigarettes alternatives is regulated and monitored by the agency.

Arranza said that “by ensuring that only DTI-registered and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)-compliant products are allowed to be sold, advertised, or distributed through lawful means—illicit trade of these products as well as their unintended use are minimized, if not totally eradicated.”

“The DTI has always been a capable and dependable agency in enforcing regulations that protect the consumers and our local small and medium enterprises,” he said.

He said that while he respects the opinion of some groups to get the involvement of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating vape and HTPs, “sadly their track record on enforcement is not reassuring, especially for consumers.”

“Kung kailan lang may namamatay or pumuputok na insidente saka lang sila pumapasok sa eksena,” he said.

Arranza said the enactment of the Vape Bill would curb the proliferation of illicit and substandard devices that sometimes lead to serious accidents with unsuspecting consumers.

The Vape Bill has ample provisions which “aim to combat illicit trade and promote a level playing field between and among foreign and domestic manufacturers, importers and exporters of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.”

The Senate and the House of Representatives earlier approved Senate Bill No. 2239 or the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act” and House Bill No. 9007 or the “Non-Combustible Nicotine Delivery Systems Regulation Act.” The consolidated version of the two bills is now awaiting the signature of the President to become law.

FPI is the largest umbrella group for trade in the Philippines. It proactively advocates for legislation that enhances economic development and informs members and the public about economic issues and policies which affect business directions.