MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling the illegal trade of electronic vapes, warning of their health risks and appeal to young Filipinos.
Speaking during the destruction of over ₱3 billion worth of confiscated e-cigarettes at South Harbor in Manila, Marcos emphasized that the fight goes beyond lost government revenue—it’s about protecting public health.
“These smuggled vapes are not only illegal but dangerous. Some tested liquids were found to contain toxins,” Marcos said, stressing that many products are packaged to appeal to minors.
He criticized the lack of documentation and inspections on these items, making them even more hazardous. “They’re sold without permits, and that’s unacceptable,” he added.
Marcos praised government agencies for ramping up efforts against vape smuggling. He cited a dramatic rise in seizures, noting that this year alone, authorities are on track to surpass previous records.
The Bureau of Customs destroyed nearly 3 million pieces of illegal vape products worth ₱3.26 billion. These were confiscated in 10 operations led by the Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, and the Intelligence Group.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto confirmed the vapes were manufactured in China, while Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio stressed the products violate regulations and pose a health hazard. “This condemnation sends a strong warning to smugglers: we are serious about enforcing lawful trade,” Rubio said.
So far in 2025, the agency has seized an additional ₱483.1 million worth of illegal vape goods, contributing to a total of ₱6.658 billion in illicit products intercepted since 2024.