RELX International, an electronic cigarettes company, has announced that beginning May 25, 2022, flavored vape products will no longer be available in its outlets nationwide to support and comply with the government’s mandate on policies on e-cigarette.
Under Republic Act (RA) 11467 and the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 003-2020, the government prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale and distribution of vapor products with flavoring other than plain tobacco or plain menthol in the country. RA 11467, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Jan. 22, 2020, seeks to increase the excise tax rates on alcohol, heated tobacco, and vape products to generate funds for the government to deliver quality and affordable health care services. Meanwhile JMC 003-2020 prohibits flavoring of vapor products except for plain tobacco and menthol flavor.
The move reflects the company’s commitment to support important reforms that will benefit the collection of tax revenues, cater to legal-age adult smokers, protect access of e-cigarette among minors and ensure responsible and standard-compliant e-cigarettes in retail points across the country.
Across its operations, RELX complies with governments and works with its partners to deliver quality products to legal age adult smokers through its state-of-the-art products and industry-leading technologies advanced by its talented and committed people.