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

FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
During the FDA PMTA roundtable session on “Studies of Adult Benefit,” officials said flavored ENDS must demonstrate “added benefit” over tobacco-flavored products under the APPH standard, including sustained complete switching evidence. Small manufacturers questioned switching benchmarks, study duration, and bridging expectations.
Feb.11
Study Says Europe’s Illicit Disposable Vape Market to Reach EUR 6.6 Billion in 2026
Study Says Europe’s Illicit Disposable Vape Market to Reach EUR 6.6 Billion in 2026
A new study by the Fraunhofer Institute says the rapidly expanding illicit market for disposable e-cigarettes is undermining European regulation, fuelling youth vaping and causing significant tax losses. The study says the illicit market is worth EUR 6.6 billion in 2026 and is projected to rise to EUR 10.8 billion by 2030. It adds that a significant share of the disposable vape market now operates outside the regulatory framework established by the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
Mar.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Arizona Lawmaker Pushes Alternative Nicotine Product Bill as Enforcement Concerns Emerge
Arizona Lawmaker Pushes Alternative Nicotine Product Bill as Enforcement Concerns Emerge
Arizona Representative Jeff Weninger’s HB 4001 is being presented as a new tool to crack down on retailers that sell vaping devices and other nicotine products to minors. The bill would create a licensing system for manufacturers and distributors of “alternative nicotine products” and impose fines for sales to people under 21, with penalties reaching USD 10,000 for a fourth violation within 24 months.
Mar.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Nicotine Becomes Second-Largest Revenue Source for Couche-Tard in Fiscal 2025
Nicotine Becomes Second-Largest Revenue Source for Couche-Tard in Fiscal 2025
Alimentation Couche-Tard reported that nicotine products accounted for 9% of total revenue in fiscal 2025, making it the company’s second-largest revenue source after fuel, according to its latest Business Strategy Update.
Market
Feb.19
Small ENDS Manufacturers Press FDA on Abuse Liability Standards as Agency Defines Pharmacological Review Framework
Small ENDS Manufacturers Press FDA on Abuse Liability Standards as Agency Defines Pharmacological Review Framework
At the third session of its PMTA roundtable, the FDA outlined its framework for assessing abuse liability in ENDS products, emphasizing the role of nicotine pharmacokinetics and product-specific data in APPH determinations. Small manufacturers questioned the high cost of clinical PK studies and the absence of defined numeric thresholds, while raising bridging strategies and PBPK modeling as potential alternatives.
Feb.11
SICPA Secures Five-Year UK Vape Tax Stamp Contract
SICPA Secures Five-Year UK Vape Tax Stamp Contract
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has awarded a five-year contract to Swiss technology company SICPA and Cartor Security Printers to implement the United Kingdom’s new vaping duty stamp and track-and-trace system, beginning in April 2026.
Market
Feb.24