CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 4) — The Department of Finance (DOF) is backing stronger safeguards to protect minors from buying or accessing tobacco products online through new rules that require stricter age verification for digital sellers.
Under Inter-Agency Committee on Tobacco (IAC-Tobacco) Resolution No. 01, Series of 2025, all e-marketplaces, digital platforms, and online retailers must install or enhance systems that verify a buyer’s age before granting access to or processing tobacco sales.
The measure enforces Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which prohibits the sale and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products to anyone below 18 years old.
“With this resolution, we can more strictly control the sale and distribution of tobacco products,” said Finance Secretary Ralph Recto. “The DOF is ready to help ensure proper regulation, especially in protecting our youth.”
Online platforms are also required to monitor their partner merchants and submit proof of compliance to the IAC-Tobacco within 90 days of the resolution’s publication.
Health advocates in Mindanao welcomed the move, noting that more young people are now exposed to online marketing and digital sales channels. They said the new policy supports ongoing efforts in schools and communities to curb youth smoking and vaping.
The DOF co-chairs the IAC-Tobacco with the Department of Health and other government agencies.
