(Manila, 15th – Comprehensive report) The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday simultaneously destroyed a total of 448,494 illegal e-cigarette products across the country, involving unpaid taxes and fines totaling about 1.34 billion pesos (approximately 93.8 million ringgit). This operation is part of a three-day anti-illegal trade campaign and was broadcast live via the bureau's official Facebook page.
In the event, BIR Commissioner Mendoza emphasized that the public, nationwide synchronized destruction of illegal e-cigarettes is aimed at clearly conveying the government’s stance to the public—there will be no tolerance for any e-cigarette or vapor products circulating in the market without proper excise tax payment or tax stamps affixed.
He said that the excise tax imposed on so-called “sin tax” products such as e-cigarettes serves a dual purpose: first, to regulate usage and reduce abuse by raising retail prices, and second, to raise revenue for government healthcare programs.
Mendoza pointed out that products without excise tax stamps indicate that the relevant distributors and merchants are intentionally evading government supervision, thereby weakening the authorities’ power of regulation, control, and law enforcement.
He stated that the BIR will continue to seize, destroy, and permanently eradicate illegal e-cigarette products to ensure that no one profits from actions harmful to consumer health.
“Enforcement actions will become more stringent, systematic, and uncompromising, in order to protect public health, uphold the dignity of the law, and safeguard the country’s legitimate tax revenue,” he said.
In addition, the BIR has also partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that the destruction process adheres to environmental, health, and safety standards.