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

Russian State Duma Passes Ban on Tobacco and Vape Sales at Public Transport Stops
Russian State Duma Passes Ban on Tobacco and Vape Sales at Public Transport Stops
Russia’s State Duma has approved, in its third reading, a law banning the sale of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes at public transport stops. The measure expands existing restrictions on tobacco sales at transport infrastructure facilities and aims to reduce accessibility, particularly among young people. The law includes an exemption for small settlements where such kiosks are the only sales points and will take effect on September 1, 2026.
Dec.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai
France’s Top Administrative Court Suspends Nicotine Pouch Decree
France’s Top Administrative Court Suspends Nicotine Pouch Decree
France’s Council of State has suspended a government decree that was set to ban the manufacture, production and export of nicotine pouches from April 2026. The court ruled that companies were not given sufficient time to reorganise their operations. A final decision on the legality of the decree is expected by June 2026. The court noted that the commercial sale of nicotine pouches is already restricted under existing public health laws.
Dec.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Nicotine Pouch Sales Surge, Forcing Convenience Stores to Rethink Backbar Layouts
U.S. Nicotine Pouch Sales Surge, Forcing Convenience Stores to Rethink Backbar Layouts
U.S. convenience stores are restructuring backbar displays as nicotine pouches and other modern oral products gain space amid regulatory and product-mix shifts. The New York Association of Convenience Stores reports nicotine pouch sales are up over 40% this year, while some chains are trimming cigarette facings and testing zero-nicotine and herbal alternatives.
Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Poll Shows Britons Favor Regulation Over Bans on Nicotine Pouches
Poll Shows Britons Favor Regulation Over Bans on Nicotine Pouches
A new poll commissioned by We Vape UK reveals that most Britons favor regulation — not prohibition — of nicotine pouches. The survey shows broad public support for harm-reduction policies and frustration with weak government regulation, contrasting sharply with Ireland’s recent decision to ban disposable vapes and impose strict limits on nicotine products.
Nov.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Wigan Council and Police Seize Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Worth £145,000
Wigan Council and Police Seize Illegal Cigarettes and Vapes Worth £145,000
Wigan Council said its Trading Standards team, working with Greater Manchester Police, has seized large quantities of illegal cigarettes and vaping products across the borough in 2025. The confiscated goods, valued at around £145,000, were linked to multiple enforcement actions, including the temporary closure of retail premises and criminal prosecutions. The council said the measures aim to reduce risks posed by illicit tobacco and vape products, particularly to children.
Dec.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis passes final reading bill banning e-cigarettes and their components
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis passes final reading bill banning e-cigarettes and their components
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis adopted in final reading a bill banning the import, export, production, storage, wholesale and retail sale, and use of electronic cigarettes and their components, through amendments to the law On Tobacco and Tobacco Products. The document states that nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes are included within the concept of tobacco products and sets out a definition of electronic cigarettes.
Dec.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai