President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday supervised the destruction of nearly three million smuggled electronic vapes valued at PHP3.26 billion at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) grounds in South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. The confiscated items, including vapes, parts, and accessories, were seized during 10 separate operations carried out by the Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, and the BOC Intelligence Group.
In his speech, Marcos highlighted the importance of these operations in addressing illegal trade, particularly with its troubling association with minors. He commended the BOC for its efforts in eliminating illegal imports, noting the steady increase in seizures over the past year and a half.
“I’m happy to report that the levels at which we have been able to find these smuggled goods and eventually destroy them has increased steadily over the last year and a half,” Marcos said. In 2023, the government confiscated over PHP3 billion worth of illegal vapes, and the President noted that the trend continues in 2024.
The seized vapes lacked the necessary permits and documentation, posing a public safety risk, Marcos emphasized. This operation is part of the Marcos administration’s ongoing efforts to regulate the trade of vapor products in line with the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (Republic Act No. 11900).
In 2024, the BOC conducted 48 operations, resulting in the confiscation of vape and e-cigarette products worth PHP6.658 billion. Last year, over two million vape products worth PHP3.26 billion were also seized and destroyed.