Philippine Tax Bureau Cracks Down on E-cigarette Online Sales

Jun.11.2024
Philippine Tax Bureau Cracks Down on E-cigarette Online Sales
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.


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

Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu’s Jung-gu District announced on Feb. 10 that, following amendments to the Tobacco Business Act that explicitly classify liquid e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine as “tobacco” (effective April 24, 2026), the district will expand regulations to include fines for vaping such products in designated nonsmoking areas. The district health office said smokers/vapers could face an administrative fine of up to 100,000 won for using synthetic-nicotine liquid e-cigarettes in smoke-free zones
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
West Virginia Bill Seeks to Replace Per-mL Vape Liquid Tax With 50% Sales-Price Tax
West Virginia Bill Seeks to Replace Per-mL Vape Liquid Tax With 50% Sales-Price Tax
West Virginia proposes tax rate adjustments on e-cigarette devices and e-liquids, with penalties for late reporting. Effective from July 1, 2026.
Feb.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Singapore detected 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases in 2025, seizing about 230,000 items
Singapore detected 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases in 2025, seizing about 230,000 items
Singapore’s Ministry of Health said on Feb. 3 that authorities detected 59 large-scale vape smuggling cases in 2025 and seized about 230,000 vapes and accessories. Over the past two years, more than 10,000 online vape sale advertisements were removed, with about 99% linked to overseas platform posts. Enforcement includes bot-driven surveillance, public tip-offs, and site-blocking with partner agencies.
Feb.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
The UK government plans to expand the scope of its e-cigarette ban to include playgrounds, off-campus areas, and areas outside hospitals.
The UK government plans to expand the scope of its e-cigarette ban to include playgrounds, off-campus areas, and areas outside hospitals.
Government plans would ban vaping in cars carrying children and restrict smoking, vaping and heated tobacco in settings including playgrounds and outside schools across England, subject to a 12-week public consultation. The proposals also say indoor spaces where smoking is already banned would become vape- and heated-tobacco-free, and areas outside hospitals would be included.
Feb.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Flash|PMI Reports 2025 Results as Smoke-Free Products Account for 41.5% of Net Revenues
2Firsts Flash|PMI Reports 2025 Results as Smoke-Free Products Account for 41.5% of Net Revenues
Philip Morris International reported full-year 2025 results on February 6, with smoke-free products accounting for 41.5% of adjusted net revenues, up from 38.7% a year earlier. Total net revenues rose 7.3% to $40.65 billion, while shipment volumes increased 1.4%, widening the gap between revenue and volume growth. Cigarette shipments declined as smoke-free volumes rose 12.8%, driven by heated tobacco, oral nicotine and e-vapor products. Results were released alongside a 9:00 a.m. EST webcast.
Feb.06
HB337 Moves Forward: Cigarette and Nicotine Taxes Set to Rise in Utah
HB337 Moves Forward: Cigarette and Nicotine Taxes Set to Rise in Utah
Utah lawmakers are advancing HB337, a bill that would raise the state cigarette tax by $2 per pack and restructure taxes on other nicotine products. The proposal replaces weight-based taxes with percentage-based rates and removes reduced rates for certain modified risk products. Supporters say it will curb youth tobacco use, while opponents warn of cross-border shopping and harm to consumers seeking alternatives.
Feb.17