THE Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) reported several closures of vape shops in Davao City, owing to the strict implementation of the national and local laws banning the use of vapes in public places.
VRU head Ashley G. Lopez said around five to six vape shops have closed as of 2019 from 50 to 60 stores in 2017 when he started as the unit’s head.
“Naay mga several stores nga nanara gyud. Based on our monitoring, mas gamay na lang sila karon, even sa mga malls nga naga-sell og vapes (There are several vape stores that have closed even in malls),” he said.
He said around two to three vape stalls in the two malls along JP Laurel Avenue and another mall in Quimpo Boulevard, as well as standalone shops along Magallanes, have stopped selling vapes.
“Ang reason daw nila nganong naundang daw sila, wala na lagi daw mamalit. Gamay na lang kaayo. Siguro one is because it is costly (They said the reason they stopped selling vapes is that their customers have declined, may be because they find vapes to be costly),” he said.
“Mukantidad og P20,000 to P25,000 per vape tapos bawalan ka og gamit so nganong mupalit pa man ka (Vapes can cost around P20,000 to P25,000 but you are not allowed to use it so why do you have to buy one),” he added.
He said the strict implementation of the city’s Anti-Smoking Ordinance since 2002, which already covered vapes and electronic cigarettes in the regulation, have contributed to the decline of the vape businesses.
He said it was also strengthened with the passage of the Executive Order (EO) 106 in February this year which bans the “manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of unregistered or adulterated e-cigarettes and tobacco products.”
According to EO 106, “All establishments engaged in the manufacture, distribution, importation, marketing, and sale of Ends/Endds (electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems), HTPs (heated tobacco products), or their components shall secure a License to Operate from the FDA.”
“Because of the strict laws that we have including the EO 106, mura’g maglisod na gyud sila og distribute ug baligya sa vapes. (They will find it challenging to distribute and sell vapes) Even the users now are conscious already, they are hesitant to use vapes,” he said.
He said they also have yet to assess the impact of Republic Act No. 11467 signed in January 2020, which increases the excise taxes on alcohol, heated tobacco, and vapor products.