Photo credit: BOC

In a recent meeting at Malacañang, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for heightened vigilance against the smuggling of tobacco and vape products. He called upon the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to intensify their enforcement measures in safeguarding the country's tobacco industry.

During the 6th Private Sector Advisory Council-Agriculture Sector Group (PSAC-ASG) gathering, President Marcos Jr. acknowledged the existing anti-smuggling efforts of the government but urged for further reinforcement by the relevant agencies.

Special Assistant to the President on Economic and Economic Affairs Frederick Go relayed assurances from the Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection Group regarding increased monitoring of the vape industry.

BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. informed the President about the agency's escalated crackdown on smuggled vape products, including plans to implement a tax stamp system to identify illicit items.

In response to the call for action, the PSAC-ASG proposed various policy measures to safeguard the tobacco industry, including releasing funds for the National Tobacco Authority (NTA) Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program and amending the Anti-Agri Smuggling Act of 2016 to cover tobacco products.

Moreover, the PSAC-ASG urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to set deadlines for the registration of importers and manufacturers of vapor products and requested the BIR to initiate tax requirements on tobacco and vapor products. The body emphasized the importance of sustained enforcement against smugglers and retailers of illicit products.

The Philippine tobacco industry, which supports 2.2 million Filipinos, contributes significantly to government revenues, with tobacco excise tax accounting for 4 percent of total revenues, amounting to P135 billion in 2023. Fifty percent of excise tax collection is allocated to Universal Health Care initiatives and the Health Facilities Enhancement Program.