Today (December 15), the Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) destroyed 448,494 illicit vape products nationwide — items tied to an estimated PHP1.34 billion ($22.8 million) in unpaid taxes and penalties. The destruction was 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 emphasized that excise taxes on vapes and other “sin products” are intended both to discourage consumption and to fund government healthcare programs.

Mendoza added that enforcement will intensify to remove unstamped products from the market and to prevent risks to consumers.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.