Courtesy: Sixth Tone
(FEATURE)
THE Department of Finance (DOF) has concurred with a new resolution from the Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-Tobacco) requiring all online tobacco sellers to implement stricter age verification systems to strengthen tobacco regulation and shield minors from exposure to harmful products.
This is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s commitment to responsible regulation and the protection of public health, especially among the youth.
“Sa pamamagitan ng resolution na ito, mas mahigpit nating makokontrol ang pagbenta at distribusyon ng mga tobacco products. Laging handa ang DOF na tumulong upang matiyak na maayos ang pamamahala sa mga produktong ito, lalo na sa pagprotekta sa ating mga kabataan,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said.
As a member of the IAC-Tobacco, the DOF helps oversee the implementation of Republic Act No. 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
The Committee recently passed IAC-Tobacco Resolution No. 01, Series of 2025, which ensures that no person below 18 years old can view, access, purchase, or sell cigarettes or tobacco products online.
Under the resolution, all online business operators, including e-marketplaces, digital platforms, and e-retailers, are mandated to install or enhance robust age verification systems to ensure full compliance with the law.
Section 9 of RA 9211 declares it unlawful to sell and distribute tobacco products to any minor. It further states that it shall not be an excuse for the seller or distributor to be unaware of the minor’s real age. Neither shall it be a defense that they had any reason to believe that the product was for the consumption of the minor to whom it was sold.
Meanwhile, Section 12 mandates retailers to verify the buyer’s age by means of any valid form of photographic identification containing the date of birth of the bearer.
Online business operators refer to business establishments selling cigarettes and tobacco products through the internet, e-marketplaces, digital platforms, and e-retailers.
The resolution further directs e-marketplaces and digital platforms to conduct due diligence over online merchants and implement necessary measures to ensure compliance with the law.
The same are required to submit to the IAC-Tobacco proof compliance within 90 days after the publication of the resolution.
