Philippine President Leads P3.26 Billion Smuggled Vape Destruction

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally led the public destruction of nearly 3 million pieces of smuggled electronic cigarettes and vaping accessories in Manila on Monday, April 7th. The seized goods, valued at approximately P3.26 billion (Philippine Pesos, about $56.8M), were disposed of at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) facility in South Harbor, signaling the administration’s firm stance against illicit trade.

The event aimed to highlight the government’s commitment to protecting public health and enforcing customs laws. Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, who joined the President, emphasized the agency’s intensified crackdown on illegal vape imports.

“These products violate customs laws and pose serious risks to consumer health,” stated Commissioner Rubio. “Today’s condemnation is a clear message to smugglers that the government is relentless in its pursuit of lawful trade.”

Key cabinet members, including Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto and Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, also witnessed the event, along with the head of the specialized office overseeing vapor products, Atty. M. Marcus N. Valdez II.

The destroyed vape products were confiscated during ten separate BOC operations conducted across Metro Manila throughout 2024. These operations form part of a wider anti-smuggling effort by the BOC, which reported seizing a total of P6.658 billion(about $116M) worth of various illicit goods in 2024. The bureau added that it has already intercepted another P483 million in illegal vape products in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

Officials stated this enforcement initiative aligns with Republic Act No. 11900, the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, which governs the taxation and regulation of these items. The BOC attributes its recent successes to enhanced intelligence gathering, collaboration, and stricter border controls, implemented under President Marcos’s directive to prioritize public health and economic integrity.

• News source: PBBM leads destruction of over P3.26B of smuggled vape products

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.

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