The Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) warned about the alarming and unprecedented surge of illegal tobacco products across the country.
It cited industry figures showing that illicit tobacco incidence reached an all-time high of 18.2 percent by the end of 2024.
Data from a global research firm revealed that the share of illicit cigarettes surged from just 5.4 percent in 2020 to 18.2 percent in 2024, marking a staggering 240-percent increase in just four years.
It said that in Mindanao, illicit incidence surged to 50 percent, topped by the province of Lanao del Sur with the highest incidence at 94 percent.
Central Luzon remains the hotbed of illicit cigarettes in Luzon, led by Bataan at 63 percent, Pampanga at 20.2 percent and Tarlac at 17.5 percent. Palawan province is now at 35.3 percent illicit incidence, the PTI said.
Data also indicate that illicit whites comprise 95 percent of illicit contribution, while 5 percent are counterfeit, it said.
“While we commend the efforts of the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine National Police and the Department of Trade and Industry, the sheer scale and geographic spread of illegal tobacco and vape products continue unabated,” said PTI president Jericho Nograles.