Youth groups call for absolute vape ban in PH
April 7, 2026
Public health and children’s rights groups filed three consecutive complaints against nicotine pouch brand ZYN and heated tobacco product (HTP) company IQOS Philippines, urging the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to enforce immediate sanctions over illegal promotional and distribution activities.
The complaints stem from the ZYN and IQOS’ violations of Republic Act No. 11900 (Vape Law) for illegal sponsorship and promotional activities of their products. The groups also flagged in their complaint ZYN’s reported lack of registration with the DTI, despite its nicotine pouches being actively and aggressively commercialized in the Philippine market.
Under R.A. No. 11900, no vaporized nicotine or novel tobacco product may be lawfully manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold without prior registration and certification from the DTI.
“These violations involving ZYN and IQOS are not isolated incidents – they reflect a recurring pattern of noncompliance by the tobacco industry. These brands continue to insert themselves in cultural, artistic, and entertainment spaces, positioning their products as part of a desirable lifestyle. Worse, one of these brands has been reported to be promoting and distributing a product that has no registration or certification under the law. Immediate regulatory action from the DTI is needed to put an end to these dirty industry tactics and to reaffirm the government’s mandate to protect the health of its people,” said Rizza Duro, National Coordinator of the Philippine Smoke-Free Movement.
Festival sponsorship, artist collaboration flagged for Vape Law violation, child protection concerns
In January, ZYN and IQOS were documented to have promotional presence during the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City. The groups raise concern that sponsorship of a cultural event is a direct violation of Section 14(a) of R.A. No. 11900 and “exploits an environment that is both child-centered and culturally significant.”
“These cultural events are widely attended by families and children, which makes any form of tobacco promotion illegal. Even with its limited provisions to protect children and young people, the Vape Law clearly prohibits the promotion of harmful tobacco products in spaces meant to be safe for children. The DTI must do its duty and act against the industry’s disregard for children’s rights, public health, and the integrity of our cultural spaces, ” said Au Quilala, Spokesperson of the Child Rights Network (CRN) and Executive Director of Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD).
The groups also filed a complaint on the collaboration of IQOS Philippines, an affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI) and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporate (PMFTC), with local artist Isabel Santos. The groups argue that the collaboration portrays IQOS products within a cultural and artistic context and constitutes public figure endorsement, which are violations of R.A. No. 11900.
“It is disheartening to see artistic spaces being infiltrated by the tobacco industry. These platforms have a significant reach among young people, and if such violations are allowed to bypass the law without sanction, more young people will be exposed and influenced by their harmful and deadly products,” said Judy Delos Reyes, Project Leader of Parents Against Vape.
Last year, affiliates of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC) and IQOS Philippines had already been subjected to regulatory action for illicit promotion of the ‘Steve Aoki Live’ event in Taguig.
“It is clear that companies like PMFTC and IQOS will continue to violate the law if left unchecked. As the primary regulatory body for vape and tobacco products, the DTI must impose appropriate sanctions and even higher-tier penalties due to repeated noncompliance. Failing to do so risks enabling future violations,” said Atty. Sophia Monica San Luis, Executive Director of ImagineLaw.
Continued distribution of unregistered tobacco and nicotine products
“Every day these unregistered nicotine products remain on shelves, we are normalizing addiction and failing our children. These products exploit regulatory gaps and weaken public confidence in the law. The government must act decisively—we cannot allow another entirely preventable epidemic driven by the tobacco industry to take hold in our country,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin, Executive Director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines.
R.A. No. 11900 vests regulatory authority in the DTI, however, the health risks associated with these products are still under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“It is alarming to see such products widely available in the market without proper registration. Nicotine products already pose known health risks – what more for those that have not been approved by the FDA. Allowing these unregistered products to persist in the market poses a significant threat to public health, as it exposes its users to unknown and potentially harmful ingredients that have not been tested by health authorities. We urge the DTI to act urgently, as the health of Filipinos is at stake if ZYN pouches and similar products continue to proliferate in our markets,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, Board Member of HealthJustice and former Health Secretary.
The complaints were filed by The Philippine Smoke-Free Movement, the Child Rights Network, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc., Action on Smoking and Health Philippines, Imagine Law, Parents Against Vape, Youth Against Vape, and HealthJustice.
Contact person/s:
Mariz Amante Wee
Communications Officer, HealthJustice
+63998-885-1080 / +974-669-86655
Anelle Cortez
Project Coordinator, HealthJustice
+639178139696
