On December 3, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of the Philippines reported that, following a month-long crackdown on illegal e-cigarette retailers and distributors, a total of 817 shops were raided. During the operation, 563,284 e-cigarette products were seized, with a total tax amount of approximately PHP 415 million (about $7.1 million), including fines.
These figures cover raids conducted from October 16 to November 22 of this year. Common violations included the absence of internal tax stamps, failure to pay excise taxes, and unregistered e-cigarette brands.
Earlier, BIR conducted a raid in Quezon City at a vape shop offering illegal e-cigarettes through a "secret menu," where customers could browse and order products from the store's back warehouse.
Additionally, BIR has received complaints about illegal online sales of e-cigarettes and cigarettes. The report indicates that, due to BIR’s regular raids on warehouses and physical stores, some retailers and distributors have shifted to selling e-cigarettes online.
"All online platforms and e-marketplaces should not offer for sale all illicit vape. Take them down. Block the online sellers from doing business in your platforms. Check for other keywords or phrases that these criminals use to hide or mask what they are really selling in your platforms," Lumagui said.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
