LATEST ALERTS
View allAlternative tobacco and nicotine products in Philippines
Regulatory reports
Detailed legal reports outlining industry regulation, analysis of the laws, and pertinent organisations
Market data
All of our heated tobacco and related products databases downloadable in Excel format
Regulatory data
Our full regulatory tracking databases including tax, proposed bills, etc.
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Alerts
Our legal experts track the evolving regulation around the tobacco alternatives sector on a daily basis. These alerts are then compiled into our Monthly Round-up section.
27th March 2023
Philippines: Last week, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular 35-2023, clarifying that the application of the 18-month transition period provided in the Vape Law (Republic Act 11900) is only for the provisions of product standards and product registration with the Bureau of Philippine Standards. The remaining provisions – such as registration of manufacturers, importers and brands with the BIR – are therefore effective. At the same time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory notice informing industry members that the issuing of the licence to operate (LTO) and the product batch declaration (PBD) certification for vaping and heated tobacco product establishments has stopped as they are no longer required.6th March 2023
Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group has warned all e-commerce platforms to comply with vaping and heated tobacco regulation, or risk facing intensified monitoring and enforcement. It follows an increase in the number of online retailers found to be selling non-compliant products, such as products without the required health warnings or with flavour descriptors.
22nd February 2023
Philippines: The Department of Health and Industry announced today that it was stepping up enforcement of regulations governing vaping, heated tobacco and other novel tobacco products. The department has issued violation notices to establishments selling non-compliant products with illegal markings or characters such as cartoons and youth influencers, and names suggesting flavours. Press reports that the agency confiscated over PHP860,000 ($15,600) worth of e-cigarettes and novel tobacco products.
25th January 2023
- Philippines: Health advocacy groups have expressed their support for House Bill 5532, which aims to raise taxes on heated tobacco products, press reports. The bill was presented by representative Joey Salceda of the majority bloc Lakas-CMD party and proposes an increase to PHP40 ($0.73) per pack of 20 units, with a 5% increase in the subsequent year. The bill is pending in the Ways and Means Committee.
16th January 2023
- Philippines: Following seizures of smuggled and untaxed products, the Bureau of International Revenue (BIR) has called on all distributors and sellers of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and novel tobacco products to comply with the business registration requirements and tax obligations specified in BIR Revenue Regulations 14-2022 and DTI Department Administrative Order 22-16. Among the requirements is the obligation for sellers and distributors of products via e-commerce and internet websites to be registered with the competent authorities.
10th January 2023
- Philippines: As of 1st January 2023, heated tobacco tax increased to PHP32.50 ($0.59) per pack of 20 units.
9th January 2023
- Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry published the Rules and Regulations of the Vaporised Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act in December 2022. The regulations clarify the rules on e-cigarette and heated tobacco products, such as labelling requirements. They will enter into force 15 days after publication in the Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, which has not yet happened.
18th November 2022
- Philippines: The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has published revenue regulations for e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and novel tobacco products in compliance with the recently enacted Vaporised Nicotine and non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. Among the measures are inspection fees and minimum retail prices. It also establishes that manufacturers or importers of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and novel tobacco products should register with the Regulatory Division of the BIR national office as an excise tax payer before entering the market.
28th October 2022
- Philippines: Today (28th October), the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry is holding a virtual public consultation on implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Vaporized Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which further regulates e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The IRR sets rules on e-cigarette and heated tobacco labelling, sale, advertising, sponsorship and purchase.
25th October 2022
Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry is to hold a virtual public consultation on Friday, 28th October, on the draft implementing rules and regulations of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act. The rules cover labelling, sale, advertising, sponsorship and purchase of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
18th October 2022
- Philippines: The Bureau of Philippine Standards, an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, has included vaping and heated tobacco products in the list of consumer goods subjected to mandatory certification to ensure they conform with the Philippine National Standards. The standards ensure product consistency in the market. The certification for vaping and heated tobacco products will be mandatory from 4th January 2024.
