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

Ireland’s Tobacco and Vape Retail Licensing Regime Takes Effect; BAT Says It Should Cover Nicotine Pouches
Ireland’s Tobacco and Vape Retail Licensing Regime Takes Effect; BAT Says It Should Cover Nicotine Pouches
Ireland’s retail licensing system took effect on Feb. 2, 2026, charging annual fees per point of sale and enforced by the Health Service Executive (HSE). British American Tobacco’s local unit, BAT Ireland, said excluding nicotine pouches could leave a regulatory gap.
Feb.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
iMiracle and VPR Reach Preliminary Settlement in ‘Elf’ Trademark Dispute, Potentially Ending Three-Year Legal Battle
iMiracle and VPR Reach Preliminary Settlement in ‘Elf’ Trademark Dispute, Potentially Ending Three-Year Legal Battle
According to Law360, VPR Brands and iMiracle have filed a joint notice in federal court in Florida stating that they have signed a settlement term sheet and plan to finalize a global settlement within 30 days that would resolve multiple lawsuits. The dispute, which began in 2022 and centers on the “Elf” trademark, has involved injunctions, counterclaims and a key ruling by the Federal Circuit overturning a lower court’s order.
Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kansas Lawmakers Hear SB 355 to License E-Cigarette Makers, Citing Illicit China Imports
Kansas Lawmakers Hear SB 355 to License E-Cigarette Makers, Citing Illicit China Imports
Kansas lawmakers held a Senate committee hearing on Senate Bill 355 on Jan. 27. The proposal would require e-cigarette manufacturers—potentially affecting distributors as well—to obtain a state license, expanding oversight beyond retailers.
Jan.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | ELFBAR launches new “4-in-1” e-cigarette kit: 4× (1ml + 5ml) design, 4 flavors per set
Product | ELFBAR launches new “4-in-1” e-cigarette kit: 4× (1ml + 5ml) design, 4 flavors per set
ELFBAR has launched the “4 in 1 Ultra 50 VAPE KIT” through multiple online sales channels in the UK. The kit combines four 1ml prefilled pods with four 5ml refill containers. The company claims it can deliver up to around 50,000 puffs, with a retail price of approximately £13.99.
Dec.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Shenzhen Tobacco Authority Completes Successful Quality Inspection of E-cigarette Products, All Safety Criteria Met
Shenzhen Tobacco Authority Completes Successful Quality Inspection of E-cigarette Products, All Safety Criteria Met
Shenzhen Tobacco Bureau announces successful quality inspection of e-cigarette products, meeting national standards.
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI AI White Paper Warns of “Cognitive Atrophy” and Attention Erosion, Calls for Focus on Human Cognition’s Evolution
PMI AI White Paper Warns of “Cognitive Atrophy” and Attention Erosion, Calls for Focus on Human Cognition’s Evolution
Philip Morris International (PMI) has released a white paper calling for cross-sector dialogue on how AI may affect human cognitive abilities. The paper flags risks including “cognitive atrophy” and attention erosion, and warns of a widening cognitive divide and rising pressures on information verification and trust.
Jan.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai