Philippines Destroys Illegal Vapes Worth $22.8 Million
Today (December 15), the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue simultaneously destroyed 448,494 illegal vape products nationwide, involving about 1.34 billion Philippine pesos (around US$22.8 million) in unpaid taxes and penalties. The destruction was par
Today (December 15), the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue destroyed 448,494 illegal vaping products simultaneously across the country, involving about PHP 1.34 billion (approximately $22.8 million) in unpaid taxes and penalties. The destruction was part of a three-day anti-illicit trade operation and was livestreamed to the public to demonstrate the tax authority’s transparency and enforcement efforts.
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said the move sends a clear message: the government will not tolerate the sale of vaping products without legitimate excise tax stamps. He emphasized that excise taxes on vaping products and other “sin products” are intended both to curb consumption and to fund government healthcare programs.
Lumagui said enforcement will be intensified to remove unstamped products from the market and prevent risks to consumers.
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