The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed 75 cases against individuals and businesses involved in illegal vape sales, with a total tax liability of ₱711.13 million. The complaint was filed with the Department of Justice on August 20, led by Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.
According to Lumagui, the retailers caught had vape products without excise tax, without revenue stamps, and without proper registration with the BIR. Most of these were confiscated in a series of operations in various areas.
The charges filed include tax evasion, illegal possession of tax-exempt products, and failure to submit excise tax returns. A large number of illegal vape products were confiscated during the operations.
Before this, the BIR has also filed large cases against well-known vape brands. In February 2024, a group was charged with ₱1.2 billion in taxes. Meanwhile, in April 2025, cases were filed against large-scale illegal vape businesses totaling ₱8.7 billion.
This step by the BIR is part of an intensified campaign against the illicit vape trade, to ensure proper tax payment and protect the market from illegal products.