Philippine Tax Bureau Cracks Down on E-cigarette Online Sales

Jun.11.2024

BIR chief warns online platforms and consumers on e-cigarette tax compliance, cracking down on illegal sellers.

According to a report by Bilyonaryo on June 11th, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines, Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., issued a stern reminder to online platforms and consumers that the online sale of e-cigarette products must comply with tax stamps, minimum prices, and other requirements of the tax authorities. Lumagui emphasized that only registered businesses are allowed to sell e-cigarette products on online platforms.

Lumagui revealed that the Bureau of Internal Revenue is actively monitoring online and offline businesses to see if they have violated any relevant regulations.

Online platforms should regulate their e-cigarette retailers to ensure they comply with tax stamps, minimum pricing, and other tax bureau requirements. If any violations are found in online posts or products, they should be taken down immediately.

Lumagui stated that they have received reports that some online sellers of e-cigarettes are not paying taxes, leading to lower prices for their products.

These illegal online sellers of e-cigarettes have disrupted the livelihoods of legitimate e-cigarette sellers.

Furthermore, the agency plans to continue cracking down on the illegal sales of e-cigarettes by strengthening oversight and coordinating with other government departments.

References:

[1] BIR cracks down on online sale of illicit vape

Also Read:

[1] Philippine Standard Authority Issues First PS License to E-Cigarette Manufacturers

[2] Review Urged for Philippines Senate Bill No. 11990 on E-Cigarettes

[3] Philippines to Implement New Vape Regulations on June, 3 Companies Already Applied for Registration

[4] BIR Continues Crackdown on Illegal E-Cigarette and Cigarette Trade

[5] Philippine President Marcos Orders Crackdown on Tobacco and E-cigarette Smuggling

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

Malaysia’s Home Ministry Urges Study of IQOS Tobacco Device Ahead of Potential Legislation

Malaysia’s Home Ministry has recommended that the National Poison Centre conduct a study on the IQOS heated tobacco device, developed by a leading global tobacco company. Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the research would help the government prepare future legislation addressing emerging nicotine technologies. While health risks remain uncertain, officials stress the need for proactive, adaptable legal frameworks.

Nov.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai

WHO Chief Warns of E-Cigarette Threat to Youth as COP11 Opens in Geneva

More than 1,400 delegates from 162 Parties convened in Geneva on November 17 for the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus opened the session with a stark warning: tobacco and nicotine companies are targeting schools as the “new front line” to recruit a generation of addicts through e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.

Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai

WHO MOP4 Focuses on Justice and Prosecution to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade

The Fourth Meeting of the Parties (MOP4) to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products opened in Geneva on November 24, 2025. With 60 Parties participating, the meeting focuses on strengthening legal action and international cooperation to combat illicit trade, which accounts for about 11% of the global tobacco market and costs governments billions in lost tax revenue.

Nov.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai

PMI Extends Ferrari Partnership to 2026, Bringing ZYN Nicotine Pouches to F1

Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced that it will extend its partnerships with Scuderia Ferrari HP and the Ferrari Challenge through the 2026 season and beyond, with its smoke-free nicotine pouch brand ZYN set to appear on Ferrari’s F1 livery for the first time from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The company estimates that, as of June 30, 2025, more than 41 million adult consumers were using its smoke-free products worldwide.