Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1619)
Volatile substances include any liquid, solid, or mixed substance releasing toxic vapors or fumes containing specified chemical compounds such as methanol, ethanol, toluene, xylene, ether, chloroform, and others that when inhaled produce intoxication, excitation, stupefaction, or distort mental processes.
The use or possession of volatile substances for the purpose of inhalation to induce intoxication or similar conditions is punishable by imprisonment of six months and one day to four years and a fine of six hundred to four thousand pesos.
Imprisonment ranging from four years and one day to eight years and a fine between four thousand to eight thousand pesos are imposed on any person who sells, administers, delivers, distributes, or acts as a broker for volatile substances for inhalation.
Those who maintain a den, dive, or resort where such substances are used for intoxication face imprisonment of four years and one month to eight years and a fine ranging from four thousand to eight thousand pesos.
Selling or offering to sell volatile substances to minors without written parental or guardian consent is punishable by imprisonment from six months and one day to four years and a fine from six hundred to four thousand pesos, except when the minor is 18 or older and licensed to drive, in which case consent is not required for gasoline or other automotive fuels.
The sale or offer to sell liquors or beverages with 30% alcohol content or above to minors is prohibited and punishable by imprisonment of six months and one day to four years and a fine of six hundred to four thousand pesos.
The Dangerous Drugs Board can issue rules and regulations to implement the decree, including treatment and rehabilitation of volatile substance dependents, their confinement, and the publication of restricted or prohibited industrial or commercial products.
It covers intoxication, inebriation, excitement, stupefaction, dulling of the brain or nervous system, depression, giddiness, paralysis, irrational behavior, or any disturbance of auditory, visual, or mental processes induced by volatile substances.
Yes, Section 8 states that the decree shall take effect immediately upon signing.
The rehabilitative confinement and suspension of sentence provisions of RA 6425 apply to cases under this decree, whenever appropriate, as specified in Section 2.