THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed charges of tax evasion with the Department of Justice on Wednesday against retailers of prohibited vape products across the country, citing nonpayment of excise taxes amounting to at least P711.3 million.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. refrained from naming the specific individuals or companies charged but mentioned vape brands Flava, Denkat, Flare, and Tap Fog.
Lumagui asserted that the BIR has demonstrated its commitment to prosecuting major illicit vape sellers, including the aforementioned brands.
The complaints encompass multiple violations of the Tax Code, including tax evasion, unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment, and failure to file excise tax returns.
The BIR chief emphasized that laws against illegal vape products extend beyond importers, distributors, and retailers to include celebrity endorsers and social media influencers. He also noted that a list of registered vape brands is available on the BIR website.
Lumagui’s statement followed the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) order for online shops to remove illegal vape products from their platforms, warning of imprisonment for at least two years or penalties of at least P2 million for non-compliance.
During a briefing at Malacañang on Tuesday, Director Eryl Royce Nagtalon of the DTI E-commerce Bureau cited repeated violations of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394), the Vape Law (RA 11900), regulations of the Department of Health, and the Tax Code as the basis for the order.
