Gatchalian, DTI inspect vape stores in Valenzuela 

The Local Government of Valenzuela, led by City Mayor WES Gatchalian, along with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ruth Castelo and DTI Director on Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, Atty. Fhillip Sawali, conducted a surprise inspection and monitoring of several vape shops in Valenzuela City, May 4.

In his tenure as the Deputy Speaker of the 18th Congress, Mayor WES Gatchalian authored the Republic Act 11900 which lapsed into law on July 25, 2022, otherwise known as the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act”. 

Some of the mandates of the said law is to regulate the sale of Electronic Nicotine Devices (ENDs), control the release of flavored vape products that entice the youth in purchasing, prohibit sales near schools or public spaces, and prevent its sale to minors. Although the sale of addictive devices is restricted, one of its signing purposes is to give smokers, who cannot stop the habit, an opportunity for a better alternative while helping them gradually withdraw from smoking.  

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During the inspection, temporary closure was imposed by the City Government to two vape shops due to non-compliance with some legal documents such as fire permit, sanitary permit and business permit, clearly violating the Tax Ordinance No. 092-012. Moreover, DTI also caught a glimpse of some of their violations of the Vape Law – such as selling flavored vape products, and setting up their vape store 100 meters near schools and public areas.

During an interview, Mayor WES clarified that the sale of vape is not completely prohibited in the City, for the law only wants to regulate its sale to the public. In this regard, one of the findings of the surprise inspection was the installment of the vape shops near the schools which he called backyard industries. He said, it seems that the store owners are deliberately trying to attract students, because apart from being close to the school, they sell flavored vape that can encourage them to buy. “Hindi naman po natin pinagbabawalan, wala naman pong masama (sa pagbebenta), dahil ito po’y cessation product, meaning po ng cessation product, ito po ang alternatibo para sa mga taong nalulong na sa pagsisigarilyo, (para) meron silang option. Sa ibang bansa talaga pong medical equipment ang pagtingin nila dito, pero kailangan po nating i-regulate. Tulad po dito sa Valenzuela, we found out na marami pong mga backyard industries,” Mayor WES stated. [We are not prohibiting it, there is nothing wrong in selling it, because it is a cessation product, meaning to say that these are the alternatives for people who are addicted to smoking, so they have an option. In other countries, they really see it as medical equipment, but we need to regulate it. Like here in Valenzuela, we found out that there are many backyard industries]

The Local Government of Valenzuela City will continue the inspection and monitoring to ensure that all vape stores registered in the City comply with the law.