A party-list lawmaker has filed a measure in the House of Representatives seeking harsher penalties for cigarette smuggling and illegal importation to curb tax evasion and protect public health.

Representative Nathaniel Oducado of 1Tahanan Party-list introduced House Bill No. 6965, titled the Anti-Illicit Cigarette Import Trade and Smuggling Act of 2025.

The bill proposes amendments to the National Internal Revenue Code and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act to strengthen enforcement.

Under the measure, anyone found importing, manufacturing, selling or possessing cigarettes without the required tax stamps or full payment of excise taxes will face criminal liability. The rule applies to both locally produced and imported products.

It also establishes that the mere possession of cigarettes without prescribed tax stamps constitutes prima facie evidence of a violation, shifting the burden of proof to the individual in possession to show that taxes were paid.

Oducado said the illegal trade deprives the government of significant revenue while undermining legitimate businesses.

The proposed law introduces "clear, proportionate and deterrent penalties," with specifically enhanced sanctions for organized and large-scale smuggling operations and the lawmaker stressed that the measure is intended to reinforce the government’s regulatory framework and improve overall tax compliance across the tobacco industry.