BIR raids Philippine Vape Festival 2024, confiscates Illicit Vape Products

 

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reports an on-going raid of the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 being held in Las Pinas today, August 18, 2024. Surveillance of the event confirmed that there were vape products without internal revenue stamps. Upon seeing vape products without internal revenue stamps, Commissioner Lumagui, together with the BIR Illicit Trade Task Force (ITTF) proceeded to raid the event, and confiscate the illicit vape products.

"We have given the vape industry every warning. The BIR will raid all venues with illicit vape, even on weekends or holidays. We will raid festivals. We will raid public markets. We will raid warehouses. You will face criminal charges for tax evasion. The BIR welcomes all informants, private or public, who have information on locations or events with illicit vape. The BIR Illicit Trade Task Force will act on all verified targets" Commissioner Lumagui stated.

Commissioner Lumagui has been steadfast in the BIR's war against illicit vape. Earlier this month, the BIR raided the Taytay Tiangge Market because of the presence of Flava and other illicit vape. A few weeks ago, the BIR also raided a building in Quezon City where a Flava vending machine was confiscated, the machine was accessible even to minors because the same building housed a gym, dance studio, gymnastics studio, basketball court, cafe & bakery, laundry station, water station, and a restaurant.

Inventory of the illicit vape products confiscated during the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 is still on-going.

“The illicit vape being displayed in this festival shows the brazen attitude of the vape industry against the proper taxation of vape products. They even organized a festival filled with illicit vape. The full strength of the BIR Illicit Trade Task Force will be deployed against this industry” Commissioner Lumagui stated.