Tobacco giant faces P100K fine for sponsoring concert
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ordered the local arm of tobacco giant Philip Morris International to stop promoting the Steve Aoki concert it is sponsoring in July.
In a statement on Thursday, the DTI said its Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products issued a preliminary order and preventive measure order on April 23 against Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation Inc. (PMFTC).
“Effective immediately, PMFTC is prohibited from engaging in any form of outward and online marketing or advertising of its IQOS ILUMA x Steve Aoki Limited Edition,” the DTI said.
It added that PMFTC—a dominant player in the local tobacco market with brands like Marlboro and Fortune, as well as smoke-free products such as the IQOS device—was found to have violated advertising regulations, particularly Section 12(d) of Republic Act No. 11900, also known as the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act.
The law prohibits ads and the use of celebrities to promote or encourage the use of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. It also bans the sponsorship of any sport, concert, cultural or art event.
In a statement sent to the Inquirer, the DTI said the company is facing a P100,000 fine.
For its part, the PMFTC expressed its commitment to fully comply with government regulations following the DTI’s announcement.
