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

JTI appoints Olesja Flores as General Manager for Global Travel Retail
JTI appoints Olesja Flores as General Manager for Global Travel Retail
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has appointed veteran executive Olesja Flores as General Manager, Global Travel Retail. Flores, who has spent more than 25 years at JTI and most recently served as General Manager for the Swiss market, will be based in Dubai and oversee the company’s global travel retail business.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | GEEKBAR Adds Two High-Puff Devices to Its Website: Clio Platinum 50K Goes on Sale in the U.S., SOMAX 80K Expands to the Middle East
Product | GEEKBAR Adds Two High-Puff Devices to Its Website: Clio Platinum 50K Goes on Sale in the U.S., SOMAX 80K Expands to the Middle East
Vape brand GEEKBAR has listed two products on its official website—the Geek Bar Clio Platinum 50K and the GEEKBAR SOMAX 80K. The Clio Platinum 50K has already launched across U.S. online retailers, with pricing around US$23.99. The SOMAX 80K is positioned for the Middle East market and had previously been sold in Canada under the name “STLTH X GEEK BAR 80K.”
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
France’s ANSES Report Reframes the Vape Debate: Harm Reduction Confirmed, Regulatory Barriers Rising
France’s ANSES Report Reframes the Vape Debate: Harm Reduction Confirmed, Regulatory Barriers Rising
France’s top health agency has confirmed that vaping is less harmful than smoking — but not risk-free — reshaping the country’s regulatory trajectory. As Paris withdraws a proposed vape tax and debates stricter ingredient, emissions and youth-protection rules, the ANSES report signals not prohibition, but tighter technical oversight. For manufacturers, retailers and EU policymakers, France may be previewing Europe’s next phase of nicotine governance.
Special Report
Feb.23
South Korea online purchasing fuels spread among younger groups; online drug cases share climbs
South Korea online purchasing fuels spread among younger groups; online drug cases share climbs
Police said detections of new drugs disguised as e-cigarettes reached 1,206 cases through September last year, up from 941 in 2022, and the number of detected drug types increased from 26 to 33 over the same period.
Feb.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Estonia warns of a booming illicit vape market, raising risks for minors and legitimate trade
Estonia warns of a booming illicit vape market, raising risks for minors and legitimate trade
Estonia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tax and Customs Board are urging the government to address a thriving illicit vape market that undermines fair competition and makes vapes easily accessible to minors.
Feb.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | China’s New Five-Year Plan Highlights “Health-First” Strategy, Providing Policy Context for Tobacco Sector
Special Report | China’s New Five-Year Plan Highlights “Health-First” Strategy, Providing Policy Context for Tobacco Sector
China’s 2026 “Two Sessions” reviewed the draft Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which proposes implementing a health-first development strategy and strengthening the effectiveness of the Patriotic Health Campaign. Although the document does not address specific industries, this public-health governance framework provides a new policy context for observing the future regulation, product strategies, and market development of China’s tobacco and next-generation nicotine sectors.
Industry Insight
Mar.08