Banned or not? Juul’s fate hangs

In the Philippines, Juul is no longer selling to ages 21 and below. —AP

The Philippine unit of Juul Labs has sought the Department of Finance’s (DOF) assistance amid “delays” in the importation of its pods as a result of President Duterte’s ban on e-cigarettes. The DOF, quoting a letter from Juul Philippines’ senior director for government affairs Mario Zinampan, said the firm “sought the assistance of the DOF in allowing Juul to proceed with its importations, as [Zinampan] pointed out that RA 11346, which took effect starting Jan. 1 this year, ‘legitimizes vapor products in the Philippines,’” the DOF said.

Mr. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11346 in July last year, which mandated higher cigarette and e-cigarette prices.

The DOF thereafter lobbied to raise the rates on heated tobacco and vapes, noting they were “too low.”

Republic Act No. 11467, passed earlier this year, eventually imposed higher taxes on e-cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.

Zinampan said Juul had already committed to support RA 11467. The firm said it had already stopped selling its vaping products to those aged 21 years and below even ahead of the mandated Feb. 7 deadline. It also stopped selling flavored pods.

Mr. Duterte, in a verbal directive, banned e-cigarettes in November last year.

According to a Juul representative, the Bureau of Customs took the President’s directive as it is, hence had barred the entry of Juul pods.

Juul has also requested to meet with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III regarding the matter.

“I think they should write the Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for clarification,” Dominguez said in a Viber message on Monday. —BEN O. DE VERA INQ