Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH) supports the proposal of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to ban the unauthorized online selling of “sin” products such as alcohol and cigarettes.
According to DOF, the FDA and DOH said they would coordinate with the Finance Department and the Department Trade and Industry (DTI) and other concerned government agencies to establish “a comprehensive regulatory framework to allow only legitimate and registered (online) sellers and place appropriate safeguards to protect vulnerable age groups.”
DOF added the ban would also cover electronic cigarettes “and other novel tobacco products.”
“The Philippines has come a long way in safeguarding the public from the dangers of tobacco and alcohol consumption through its taxation policies and stringent regulatory measures. With wider and easier access to ‘sin’ products through technology, regulatory purview should be expanded to ensure that online selling is similarly covered,” the DOH and FDA were quoted in their joint statement as saying.
“It cannot be overstated that in this time of the (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, health should be of utmost priority. Products that increase the risk of contracting and developing a more severe form of COVID-19 and its comorbidities should be avoided, if not totally eliminated. The DOH and FDA further stress that now is the time to quit and for the youth not to take up this habit,” the two agencies said.
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The Finance Secretary earlier said DOF would ban the unauthorized sale of liquor, cigarettes, and other “sin” products online to ensure they would not be accessible to minors.
Dominguez added the only way to monitor if sellers are accommodating minors is a click box warning, which says the buyer should be at a legal age or “at least 18 years old to enter.”
The DOF initiative is likewise “consistent with our effort towards a comprehensive prohibition of all forms of advertising, promotions, and sponsorships by the alcohol and tobacco industries,” DOH and FDA said.
“Expanding this regulatory purview to cover the online selling of these ‘sin’ products is a progressive step in protecting the health of Filipinos,” the agencies added.