Philippine Customs Seizes $120M Worth of Smuggled e-Cigarettes

Oct.07.2024
Philippine Customs Seizes $120M Worth of Smuggled e-Cigarettes
Philippine customs seized smuggled e-cigarette products worth 6.5 billion pesos in 11 months, cracking down on illegal activities.

According to a report by Philstar on October 7th, the Philippine customs authorities seized smuggled e-cigarette products worth 6.5 billion pesos (approximately 120 million US dollars) within 11 months.


Leon Mogao Jr., head of the Customs Investigation Department, announced this Saturday (October 5th) that from October 2023 to August of this year, Philippine customs have conducted a total of 36 operations targeting illegal e-cigarette products. These operations were primarily carried out in Manila Port, Manila International Container Port, Clark Port, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.


Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio pointed out that these achievements demonstrate the agency's commitment to combating smuggling activities and protecting consumers from unregulated and potentially harmful products.


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

Make Your Brand Understood by the People Who Matter
Make Your Brand Understood by the People Who Matter
Feb.02
India Tobacco Board urges Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to revisit cigarette duty hike
India Tobacco Board urges Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to revisit cigarette duty hike
The Tobacco Board, under the administrative control of India’s Department of Commerce, has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (Nirmala Sitharaman) flagging the adverse impact of an “unprecedented” increase in cigarette excise duties on the industry and on millions of farmers and workers, and urging a revision of duty rates.
Feb.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Multi-agency crackdown targets vape and convenience stores across Wirral, seizing illegal cigarettes and non-compliant pods
Multi-agency crackdown targets vape and convenience stores across Wirral, seizing illegal cigarettes and non-compliant pods
A multi-agency, intelligence-led enforcement operation took place on January 27, 2026, targeting vape and convenience stores across Wirral, including West Kirby, to disrupt the supply of illegal tobacco and vaping products. Six premises were inspected, with approximately 10,500 illegal cigarettes seized along with vape pods that were not in original packaging or did not meet UK regulatory requirements.
Feb.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria Announces Nationwide Retail Expansion of on! PLUS Nicotine Pouches
Altria Announces Nationwide Retail Expansion of on! PLUS Nicotine Pouches
Altria Group, Inc. announced the nationwide retail expansion of on! PLUS nicotine pouches, a product manufactured by Helix Innovations LLC, an Altria operating company. The product had already been available through e-commerce and participating retailers in North Carolina, Florida and Texas, began wholesale deliveries on March 16, 2026, and is expected to reach participating retailers nationwide starting March 23, 2026.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Belarus plans to tighten licensing for e-cigarette and e-liquid trade; Lukashenko expresses support
Belarus plans to tighten licensing for e-cigarette and e-liquid trade; Lukashenko expresses support
A report says Belarus plans to tighten, at the legislative level, the licensing of trade in electronic cigarettes and related mixtures (e-liquids). The draft law was discussed at a meeting chaired by President Alexander Lukashenko with the leadership of the Council of Ministers, according to a BelTA correspondent.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BENDSTA Urges Prime Minister to Review Bangladesh’s 2025 Tobacco Control Ordinance
BENDSTA Urges Prime Minister to Review Bangladesh’s 2025 Tobacco Control Ordinance
The Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA) has urged the prime minister to initiate a comprehensive parliamentary review of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) Ordinance, 2025.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai