Over the past few years, the Philippines has emerged as one of the fastest-growing vape markets in Southeast Asia. With an estimated 18 million smokers, the country has been a lucrative battleground for vape brands looking to capitalize on the shifting consumer landscape. However, 2024 has been a rollercoaster year for the industry, with sales plummeting, new regulations kicking in, and major brands getting banned.
So, what’s happening in the Philippines, and what does it mean for the global vape industry? Buckle up—we’re diving into the policy changes, market trends, and the future of vaping in this high-stakes region.
Vape Imports Once Skyrocketed—Now Facing a Hard Crash
At the beginning of 2024, the Philippines’ vape market was on fire. Import numbers were surging, and for a while, it seemed like the country was well on its way to becoming a regional hub for vaping products.
In February 2024, vape imports into the Philippines hit an eye-popping $39.81 million, a 74.39% month-over-month increase and a staggering 716.36% year-over-year growth. The sheer volume of imports—over 1,078 tons of vapes flooding the market—signaled a booming demand.
By May, the market was still growing, with imports reaching $12.27 million, marking another sharp rise from the previous months. It looked like vapes were unstoppable in the Philippines—until the government decided to crack down.
Fast forward to late 2024, and the story has taken a sharp turn. Vape sales crashed hard, with monthly revenue dipping as low as $8.84 million in November. That’s a steep decline from previous highs, leaving many in the industry scrambling to adapt.
The Philippines’ Vape Boom Attracted Big-Name Brands—But Not for Long
The early market surge caught the attention of some of the biggest vape brands in the world. Companies like GEEKBAR, SMOK, LOST MARY, and RELX rushed in, seeing the Philippines as a goldmine for growth.
By 2023, the country had already passed its first major vape law—the Vape Regulation Act (RA 11900)—which set packaging and flavor restrictions but still left plenty of room for the industry to flourish. Compared to other Southeast Asian nations, the Philippines seemed relatively vape-friendly.
Even the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed interest in expanding the production of heated tobacco products (HTPs) within the country. It was clear that new tobacco alternatives were being welcomed—at least for a while.
But things changed dramatically in 2024. The government, citing concerns about tax evasion, illicit products, and underage vaping, started cracking down hard on brands that didn’t comply with regulations.
Government Hits the Brakes: Tougher Regulations & Massive Vape Bans
As the vape craze intensified, so did the Philippine government’s regulatory response. By June 2024, authorities rolled out mandatory certification requirements for all vapes—meaning every product needed to be approved, labeled, and cleared before hitting store shelves.
A transition period was granted until January 2025, giving businesses some time to clear out non-compliant products. But after that deadline? Only certified, legally approved vapes would be allowed.
And if that wasn’t enough, the DTI went on a banning spree—hitting some of the biggest brands in the game with outright suspensions:
🔥 September 8: Shft&Dr Freeze, Aerogin&Don Bars, Chillax, Black Elite, and Lost Mary all got the axe.
🔥 September 11: RELX, Flare, Team X, and Funky Monkey faced formal charges, with their sales completely shut down.
🔥 October 4: Nixx, Demon Vape, and Steep N Drip were banned.
🔥 October 11: A massive wave of bans hit SNOWPLUS, INSTABAR, DENKAT, GEEKBAR, VAPENGIN, WAVE, BOSS, NEVOKS BAR, and UZOQ.
🔥 November: Some bans were lifted, including those on RELX and AEROGIN, but the message was clear—the Philippines was no longer an easy market for vapes.
For brands caught violating the rules, the penalties are steep: fines starting at 2 million pesos ($36,000) for the first offense, and going up to 5 million pesos ($90,000) with a revoked business license for repeat offenders.
The Bigger Picture: Governments Worldwide Are Targeting Vapes
The Philippines isn’t alone in this crackdown. Across the globe, governments are tightening the noose on vape regulations—and not just for tax reasons.
🚫 Pakistan: The city of Haripur implemented a 90-day vape ban starting in September 2024, making it illegal to sell or use vapes in public spaces.
🚫 Ireland: The Irish Minister of Health pushed for a ban on flavored vapes, arguing that vape companies are marketing to kids.
🚫 Slovakia: Lawmakers passed a new tax on nicotine pouches and vapes, with steep increases planned through 2027.
It’s clear that the tide is turning against vapes worldwide—and companies that fail to adapt to stricter compliance rules, higher taxes, and increased scrutiny might not survive the shift.
What’s Next? The Future of Vaping in the Philippines
So, is the Philippines’ vape market completely doomed? Not necessarily. But the wild west days are definitely over.
Here’s what we expect moving forward:
📌 Stronger enforcement: The Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Bureau of Customs (BOC) are actively hunting down illegal vapes, so the underground market isn’t a safe bet.
📌 More certifications & regulations: Brands that want to stay in business will need to jump through more regulatory hoops—no more cutting corners.
📌 A shift towards “legal” vapes: The big players that comply with the new laws might end up dominating, while smaller or non-compliant brands get wiped out.
📌 A global domino effect: With more countries clamping down on vapes, expect similar regulations to spread worldwide.
At the end of the day, the Philippines isn’t banning vapes entirely—but it’s making sure only those that play by the rules get to stay in the game.
If you’re in the vape business, this isn’t the time to slack off. The era of fast profits and loose regulations is over—and the only way forward is to adapt, comply, and innovate.
