A network of digital advocates sought the removal of illegal vape listings in online selling and social media platforms.
Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said that they have found several vape products being sold clandestinely in online shopping platforms.
“We have monitored several vape and tobacco products being sold in online shopping platforms purposefully mislabeled so that they will not be easily flagged. There are also some sellers blatantly selling illegal vape products in social media groups. These sellers should be immediately de-platformed and reported to law enforcement agencies for the confiscation of their illegal goods.”
Gustilo said that online shopping and social media platforms should start weeding out illegal sale of vape and tobacco products even before the bill is passed.
“Some products are already banned yet these are still being sold via some online shopping and social media platforms. These postings should be immediately removed to prevent further proliferation of the illicit products. These illegal sellers are the ones targeting minors, to the detriment of law-abiding and legitimate businesses.”
In the House of Representatives, Albay 2nd district Representative Joey Salceda filed House Bill 10329 or the anti illicit tobacco trade bill which seeks to ban the online sale of vape and tobacco products. If passed, only those registered with BIR and DTI will be allowed to access digital platforms. ###
