The Philippine Bureau of Customs seized an estimated P105.58 million ($1.9 million) worth of illicit cigarettes in Bataan, uncovering more than 1,000 master cases transported in 12 vehicles and traced to shipments originating from China, Vietnam, and South Korea. Authorities said the cigarettes—bearing brands including Modern, RGD, Nise Baisha, and President—were intended for distribution in northern and central Luzon, underscoring ongoing enforcement challenges as Customs intensifies its anti-smuggling campaign amid revenue shortfalls and a higher 2026 collection target.
Tag: Philippines
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Philippines Planting New Sources for Tobacco-Curing Fuel
The Philippines’ National Tobacco Authority said it will roll out a five-year sustainable fuelwood program this year to support flue-curing tobacco farmers while promoting reforestation in key growing areas. Under the Kahuyang Pangkabuhayan at Pangkalikasan initiative, 80 hectares of alienable and disposable land will be planted mainly with fast-growing trees such as ipil-ipil, kakawate, and bamboo to supply fuelwood needs and restore ecological integrity. The program, developed with the Environment Department and local governments, is intended to reduce pressure on natural forests while providing additional livelihood opportunities for tobacco-farming communities through 2030.
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Philippines Cracking Down on Illicits, Many Drug Laced
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is stepping up efforts to curb the smuggling and spread of “Thuoc Lao,” or black cigarettes, as part of a broader crackdown on illegal tobacco products. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police are strengthening intelligence operations with the Bureau of Customs, Department of Health, and other agencies, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to protect public health.
Authorities say Thuoc Lao—also known locally as “tuklaw”—is a highly potent tobacco product from northern Vietnam, with nicotine levels reportedly reaching up to 9%, far higher than conventional cigarettes. Some variants are also suspected of being laced with synthetic cannabinoids. The product is not authorized for import by the National Tobacco Administration, and officials raised alarms last year after reports that teenagers experienced seizure-like symptoms after smoking it.
The crackdown comes amid broader concerns about illicit nicotine products entering the Philippine market. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has warned that some vape products may contain the same synthetic cannabinoids found in Thuoc Lao, prompting closer coordination between law enforcement and health authorities to prevent further spread and protect youth.
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IQOS Opens Flagship Boutique in Philippines
PMFTC, the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, opened a new IQOS Boutique in Glorietta, marking its latest flagship retail space in the country. The boutique, which opened on December 19, is designed as a multi-sensory environment showcasing IQOS smoke-free technology for legal-aged nicotine users.
PMFTC said the Glorietta location reflects its continued focus on smoke-free alternatives and premium retail experiences, featuring interactive elements such as scent and personalization zones, limited-time engraving services, and curated launch activities. Company executives said the boutique aims to provide adult smokers with a dedicated space to learn about and engage with smoke-free options as part of PMI’s broader smoke-free vision in the Philippines.
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Philippines Requires Licenses for Vape Products With Health Claims
The Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that all establishments selling vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products (VNNPs) and novel tobacco products (NTPs) with medicinal or therapeutic claims must secure a License to Operate. Under Advisory 2025-1487, manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers are required to apply for licenses as pharmaceutical establishments.
The FDA also said such products must be registered as pharmaceutical products through the Center for Drug Regulation and Research. The agency urged stakeholders to comply, citing the need to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of vape and novel tobacco products making health-related claims.
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Philippines Simultaneously Destroys $22.8M in Illicit Vapes
Today (December 15), the Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) simultaneously destroyed 448,494 illicit vape products nationwide, involving an estimated PHP1.34 billion ($22.8 million) in unpaid taxes and penalties. The destruction formed part of a three-day anti-illicit trade campaign and was publicly live-streamed to demonstrate transparency and enforcement.
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said the action sends a clear message that the government will not tolerate the sale of vape products without proper excise tax stamps. He stressed that excise taxes on vape and other “sin products” are meant both to discourage consumption and to fund government healthcare programs.
Mendoza said enforcement will intensify to remove unstamped products from the market and prevent risks to consumers.
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Philippines Seeks Feedback on Vape Advertising Permits
The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is inviting stakeholders and the public to comment on a draft policy introducing a mandatory permitting system for advertising and sales promotion of vape products, including devices and novel tobacco products. The proposed Department Administrative Order (DAO) requires advertisers to obtain either an Advertisement Permit or Sales Promotion Permit from the Office for the Special Mandate on Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products before any campaign can be released.
Under the draft DAO, campaigns must be filed at least 30 days in advance, may run for up to one year (extendable by six months), and require submission of business registration documents, campaign materials, and proof that retail stores are not within 100 meters of schools or areas frequented by minors. Fees vary by permit type, geography, and number of prizes, and amendments must be reported 14 days before release.
The policy also introduces mandatory age-gating for online promotions to restrict access to users aged 18 and above.
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Philippines Pushing for Vape Ban
The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) called for a nationwide ban on vape products, warning that advertisements portraying vaping as a safer alternative to cigarettes are misleading. In a news release on November 22, the DOH stressed that both vapor and devices contain harmful chemicals linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and lung illnesses. The agency also raised concerns about flavored varieties and colorful packaging that appeal to minors. Citing the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, the DOH reported that seven out of 10 Filipino youths aged 13 to 15 use vape products, and noted the country’s first recorded death from two years of vape use in the past year.
The DOH said the government is strengthening its engagement with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to address the issue. It added that the Health Promotion Bureau continues to raise awareness in communities, schools, and workplaces about the dangers of vaping and smoking.
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Philippines Defends Tobacco-Growers at COP11
The Philippine delegation at COP11 earned praise from agricultural and civil society groups for emphasizing the country’s sovereign right to evaluate proposed global measures according to national priorities and capacities. Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, head of the delegation, highlighted the need for “socially and economically responsible” transitions that protect communities dependent on tobacco cultivation, noting that the crop continues to support livelihoods across nearly 20 provinces.
Sorreta underscored that FCTC guidance is non-binding and should complement existing national efforts rather than impose restrictions. Local organizations, including the Northern Luzon Alliance, applauded this stance, warning that measures such as ending government support, imposing quotas, or phasing out tobacco sales would be “unrealistic, overly punitive and incompatible with the country’s agricultural and economic realities,” potentially threatening rural livelihoods and linked industries.
The Federation of Free Farmers echoed these concerns, noting tobacco’s critical role in sustaining rural communities. It commended the delegation for prioritizing farmers’ welfare, arguing that the approach reflects a clear understanding of on-the-ground realities and protects not only the economic stability of tobacco-growing regions but also the dignity and future of the families who rely on this crop.
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Philippines: Tobacco Farmers Warn of Livelihoods Threatened by WHO
Filipino tobacco farmers are voicing strong concern ahead of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) COP11, warning that proposed measures under Agenda Item 4.1 could devastate rural livelihoods and the wider tobacco economy. The Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA), representing 50,000 farmers, said the recommendations — including ending government support for tobacco cultivation, restricting profits, and imposing manufacturing and import quotas — could “destroy farms and entire communities.” The sector supports more than 2.1 million workers, according to the National Tobacco Administration.
PTGA President Saturnino Distor urged COP delegates to balance public health goals with economic realities, highlighting the role of the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP) in promoting sustainable cultivation and linking local production to the demand for reduced-risk alternatives such as vapes and e-cigarettes.
Farmers also cited challenges from illicit trade and declining local demand, with 80% of Philippine tobacco output now exported. Distor called on policymakers to reject prohibitionist measures and instead pursue “practical, harm-reduction-based solutions,” noting the successes seen in the UK, Japan, and Sweden through regulated smoke-free products.