Philippine Internal Revenue Service: Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Electronic Cigarette Retailers and Distributors

Philippine Internal Revenue Service: Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Electronic Cigarette Retailers and Distributors

The Philippine Internal Revenue Service has ordered raids on illegal e-cigarette retailers and distributors nationwide, emphasizing that these distributors are accomplices of smugglers. The authorities will increase law enforcement efforts and pursue criminal responsibility.

According to a report in the Journal on October 17th, Romeo D. Lumagui Jr., the Director of the Philippine Internal Revenue Service (BIR), has ordered all tax officials to conduct nationwide raids on illegal e-cigarette retailers and distributors.

The various regional offices and tax district offices of the tax bureau are required to monitor and raid all business premises involving illegal electronic cigarettes. The authorities emphasized that the main targets of this operation are retailers and distributors, as they are accomplices to electronic cigarette smugglers.

BIR Director Lu Makui emphasized that,

Illegal electronic cigarette dealers will be subject to surprise inspections. They are accomplices of electronic cigarette smugglers. Without dealers, there will be no smugglers. Smugglers will be forced to comply with BIR regulations

The illegal electronic cigarette industry has been repeatedly warned to comply with BIR regulations, but they have repeatedly ignored the law. Therefore, BIR will fully launch enforcement actions against illegal electronic cigarette retailers and distributors. It can be foreseen that there will be surprise inspections and criminal cases

The director encourages the public to report institutions involved in illegal electronic cigarettes to the National Taxation Bureau.