DTI reminds vaping shops to stay 100 meters away from schools 

The DTI’s latest advisory signals a renewed push to enforce location restrictions under RA 11900.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reminded retailers that vape products cannot be sold within 100 meters of schools, playgrounds, day care centers, parks, and other places frequently visited by minors, as concerns continue to mount over the growing popularity of vaping among young Filipinos.

In a recent public advisory, the DTI reiterated the provisions of Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which prohibits the sale of vape products within 100 meters from the perimeter of facilities frequented by minors.

The agency said the restriction is intended to reduce youth exposure to vaping products and help create safer public spaces.

Under the law, brick-and-mortar vape stores must not be located within areas commonly accessed by children and teenagers. The DTI also encouraged the public to report establishments that may be violating the rule by providing the business name, exact location, landmarks, and photographs to authorities and the agency’s monitoring unit.

The reminder comes amid persistent concerns over the increasing use of e-cigarettes and vape products among young people.

Health advocates have repeatedly warned that flavored vape products, colorful packaging, and aggressive social media marketing have made vaping particularly attractive to teenagers. Schools and parents have likewise reported cases of students being caught carrying or using vape devices on campuses.

Critics of the industry argue that vape shops situated near schools normalize nicotine consumption and increase the likelihood of minors being exposed to or experimenting with the products. Public health groups have also raised concerns that early nicotine use may lead to addiction and long-term health consequences.

Supporters of vaping, meanwhile, maintain that the products are intended only for adults and may serve as an alternative for smokers trying to quit traditional cigarettes. However, regulators stress that strict safeguards are necessary to prevent youth access.

The DTI’s latest advisory signals a renewed push to enforce location restrictions under RA 11900, with authorities urging both retailers and consumers to help ensure that vape products remain out of reach of minors.

For the DTI, compliance is not merely a matter of business regulation but part of a broader effort to keep nicotine products away from the country’s youth at a time when vaping has become increasingly visible among younger age groups.

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