The Philippines is battling “Tuklaw” cigarettes, which contain high levels of nicotine and synthetic cannabinoids. Photo credit: Philippines National Tobacco Administration (NTA)
Philippine authorities are cracking down on “tuklaw,” or illegal Thuoc Lao cigarettes, after viral videos showed users experiencing seizure-like reactions. Police warned the public against the substance, which has been linked to serious health risks.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the cigarettes are now a target in anti-drug operations. “Why would they even try it when they could even die?” Torre asked, stressing that police are coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to track their source and smuggling routes.
PDEA confirmed that “tuklaw” contains extremely high levels of nicotine along with a synthetic cannabinoid—an artificial chemical much stronger and more dangerous than marijuana. These compounds can trigger psychotic episodes and hallucinations.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez explained that Thuoc Lao originates from a tobacco plant grown in Northern Vietnam, where locals smoke or chew it as part of traditional rituals.
“These deadly cigarettes laced with synthetic cannabinoid are obviously smuggled goods and reportedly sold online. PDEA warns the public not to patronize ‘tuklaw’ because of the serious health risks involved. To all the parents, please advise your children not to even try it,” Nerez said.
Authorities said the drug has already spread in parts of the country. Online videos show individuals in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, Palawan, and Taguig City suffering from sudden body jerks and twitches after use. In Puerto Princesa City, police arrested five students aged 19 to 25 in a buy-bust operation last week for allegedly selling the cigarettes.
Officials also flagged “shotgun smoking,” a practice where users blow “tuklaw” fumes into another person’s mouth, as particularly dangerous.
PDEA is investigating how the black cigarettes entered the Philippines. Nerez said synthetic cannabinoids are not produced locally, pointing to cross-border smuggling. He added that the products are often marketed to tourists as free souvenirs to encourage use.