Southeast Asia's E-cigarette Market- The Philippines
At the same time as the tax increase on domestic e-cigarettes, the adjustment of overseas e-cigarette policies is also particularly conspicuous.
Southeast Asia, with a population of 600 million, is an important emerging market for global e-cigarettes, and its every move has attracted much attention.
It is worth noting that the new e-cigarette policy in the Philippines is coming.
It's a big reversal! According to the newly released Republic Act No. 11467 of the Philippines and its implementing rules and regulations, the sale and online retail sale of e-cigarette products other than tobacco and menthol flavors are prohibited. The introduction of this law marks that e-cigarettes in the Philippines have entered a period of "legality". The Philippines will be another country in Southeast Asia after Indonesia to legislate on e-cigarettes. It also means that the new Philippine bill mentioned earlier may relax flavor restrictions, and now it seems that "flavored" e-cigarettes have not been released.
With a population of 110 million and more than 16 million smokers, the Philippines is an important emerging market for e-cigarettes in Southeast Asia. The introduction of new legislation also indicates that compliance with e-cigarette legislation in Southeast Asia is a general trend.
△ The taste ban in the Philippines in Southeast Asia is coming
In particular, look at the highlights of the new Philippine bill:
1. Fruit-flavored e-cigarettes are prohibited online. The Philippine FDA agency released a document saying it is prohibited from May 25 from the distribution, import, manufacture and sale of flavored e-cigarette liquids used in e-cigarettes, except for tobacco and menthol flavors. This includes e-cigarette products and their corresponding e-liquids. The document mentions that "from May 25, 2022, the production, trade, distribution, import, wholesale, retail and online retail/wholesale of flavored liquid filling solutions are no longer permitted; Manufacture, trade, distribution, import, wholesale, retail and online retail/wholesale of vapor products (VP) for flavors other than regular tobacco or plain menthol are prohibited. It also means that other flavors that appeal to young people, such as fruits, sweets, drinks, etc., are not allowed.
2. All e-cigarette participants must have a license. FDA requires a license for businesses engaged in e-cigarette business. From May 25, a license to operate all vaping products and heated tobacco products (HTP) is mandatory. All relevant establishments should obtain an operating license before the start of production, trading, distribution, import, wholesale and retail VP and HTP on May 25, 2022. All vaping and heated tobacco product facilities are required to apply for the appropriate LTO through the FDA ePortal v.2 on the FDA website.
3. E-cigarettes cannot be sold near the school. The document states that the sale of e-cigarettes is prohibited within 100 meters of the school. It is forbidden to sell or distribute VP and HTP in schools, public playgrounds, youth hostels, playgrounds for minors, areas frequented by minors, or within 100 meters of the vicinity of these establishments.
4. Online sales of e-cigarettes must be licensed, there are restrictions, and flavors other than tobacco and mint cannot be sold. The Measures mention that the Philippines prohibits the retail and online sale of e-cigarette products other than tobacco and mint for the retail sale. The restriction on the online sale of steam products and heated tobacco products is due to the need for a license. Mentions of "vapor products (VPs) and heated tobacco products that engage in online sales activities."
