Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. reminds the organizers of the Philippine Vape Festival 2024, including the owners of stalls with illicit vape during the festival, for the raid that happened last Sunday. Vape products without an internal revenue stamp is an easily noticeable violation of taxation laws, yet the organizers and owners involved in the festival failed to comply with this basic requirement. Commissioner Lumagui also reminds celebrities and influencers to stop promoting illicit vapes, and instead, promote compliant vapes.
“Yung organizers ng Philippine Vape Festival 2024, at yung mga owners ng vape products na may stall sa festival, bakit niyo pinayagan na walang internal revenue stamp yung mga vape sa festival? You have the responsibility to check the compliance of the vape products in the festival. Nag-imbita kayo ng daan-daang Pilipino, tapos ilegal na vape i-didisplay niyo? Hindi kayo compliant, wag niyo lokohin yung publiko,” Commissioner Lumagui stated.
The crowd that attended the festival was not only caused by the organizers and owners. It was also promoted by a team of celebrities and influencers, whose names and faces are plastered across dozens of social media posts and publication materials.
“Celebrities, Influencers, and Endorsers of the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 should be more responsible in promoting vape products. Instruct your agents or managers not to accept endorsements or promotions that involve illicit vape. Instead, let us aim to promote compliant vapes, for the safety of our fellow Filipinos,” Commissioner Lumagui further stated.
The BIR Illicit Trade Task Force raided the Philippine Vape Festival 2024 last Sunday, August 18, 2024. The raid was executed in the presence of hundreds of festival-goers and other members of the vape industry. The BIR confiscated 5,385 illicit vape, all of which have no internal revenue stamps.
“The BIR is for fair competition in the vape industry. Pay your taxes, compete fairly. It would be unfair to vape companies who are regularly paying their taxes if the BIR will not enforce its mandate of fair taxation against non-compliant vape companies,” Commissioner Lumagui added.
