Vape crackdown: 243 users nabbed, 72 stores shut down

MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of persons have been apprehended and dozens of vape stores shuttered by police since President Duterte declared a nationwide ban on vaping, even as lawmakers and other sectors cast their doubts on the legality of the order.

Philippine National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said 243 violators were caught from the time Duterte issued his directive on vaping last Tuesday until Sunday. No charges were filed against the violators and they were immediately released after their cases were recorded in the police blotter.

A total of 318 vape gadgets and 666 vape juice products were also confiscated during the same period.

Banac said the Central Visayas police had the most number of apprehensions with 195 individuals in 280 operations.

Meanwhile, at least 10 persons were apprehended vaping in public places in Metro Manila.

He said were based on several laws such as Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act and RA 9211, also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act. Banac also cited Executive Order No. 26 which bans smoking in public places.

“Because 70 percent to 75 percent of vape ingredients are nicotine-based, it is within the purview of RA 9211,” he said at a press briefing yesterday in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The police official urged vapers to refrain from using them in public so they will not be inconvenienced by being repeatedly hauled into police stations.

At least 72 vape stores in Metro Manila were shut down as the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) intensified its operations this weekend, NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, Sinas said his five police districts conducted 235 operations against vaping and visited 54 vape stores in Metro Manila.

Sinas said the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) topped the list of operations with 101, followed by Southern Police District (SPD) with 67.

Northern Police District (NPD) conducted 46 operations, Eastern Police District (EPD) 17 and Manila Police District (MPD), four.

A total of 10 violators were apprehended in Sta. Cruz and Malate in Manila and in Makati City but they were released after their vapes were confiscated, said Sinas.

He gave assurance that all confiscated or seized items will be accounted for and disposed of properly.

The NCRPO chief said the operations and visits against vape stores in Metro Manila were done after thorough coordination with local government units (LGUs) and other concerned agencies like mall and vape store owners.

Only Manila and Taguig City have existing ordinances against the use and selling of vapes. – With Edu Punay, Non Alquitran