The Manila region of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has vowed to continue its campaign against the sale of untaxed heated tobacco and vapor products or "vape", which have been proliferating in Metro Manila and elsewhere.
Manila Revenue Regional Director Jethro M. Sabariaga made the pledge following the confiscation of more than 3,460 pods of various vape brands at retail outlets located within shopping malls in the city.
He said the seized contraband will be destroyed unless their owners reclaim them by paying excise and value-added taxes (VAT) amounting to almost P900,000, plus penalties.
BIR insiders have noted the widespread distribution of the so-called "sin" products in and outside the metropolis. Vape, which uses a special type of liquid or "juice", is subject to excise tax at P42 per milliliter.
Sabariaga said they will relentlessly implement the anti-vape drive "because letting these products proliferate untaxed creates an unfair business environment for others who are compliant."
"I hope other revenue regions will do the same to raise awareness that these relatively new products are subject to excise tax," he added.