BARMM, Zamboanga lead in illicit cigarette trade -- study

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Illicit cigarettes accounted for more than 80% of cigarette consumption in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Zamboanga Peninsula, according to a study commissioned by the Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI).

The Kantar Open Pack Study recorded an illicit cigarette incidence rate of 85.6% in BARMM and 81% in Region IX between November 2025 and February 2026.

Lanao del Sur posted the highest provincial rate at 93.5%, followed by Zamboanga Sibugay at 87.5% and Zamboanga del Sur at 81.4%. Maguindanao recorded an incidence rate of 77%, while Region X posted 54.8%.

Nationwide, the incidence of illicit cigarettes fell to 16.3% from 17.6% in the previous survey, marking the first decline in five years, the PTI said in a news release on Tuesday.

The figures point to a sharp regional disparity in the illicit cigarette trade, with the problem remaining particularly pronounced in parts of Mindanao despite the recent national decline.

Separately, a study by the EU-ASEAN Business Council estimated that illicit cigarettes accounted for 25.3% of total cigarette consumption in the Philippines in 2025.

PTI president Bayen Elero-Tinga attributed the persistence of illicit trade partly to the widening price gap between legal cigarettes and untaxed contraband, which she said criminal networks exploit as legitimate products become more expensive following annual tax increases.

“Progress may be possible, but the problem remains far too large. We must continue strengthening enforcement, particularly in high-incidence areas... The fight against illicit tobacco is far from over,” Elero-Tinga said.— MCG, GMA News

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