PHILIPPINES
The Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) is now planning to add a 10% pollutant tax to all cigarette sellers in the city.
Voltaire Engracia, head of the vice regulation unit (VRU), said, “Cigarette producers are already paying sin tax in the national level. But in cities and provinces, cigarette producers are selling their products to cigarette sellers so they are still receiving much income even when they are paying sin tax.”
Engracia says that the 10% pollutant tax will be paid by establishment owners annually, and will influence sellers to minimize cigarette selling. According to Engracia, this new law is in response to the mandate of the city government to make the Davao City officially smoke-free.
“Although we continue our anti-smoking apprehensions every day to all irresponsible cigarette users, we cannot just apprehend forever. We need to set a plan that will immediately create our city smoke-free,” Enrgracia said.
He also said that while the VRU expects apprehensions from the business sector, they will continue to perform according to the mandate of the campaign endorsed by the City Government. VRU is still waiting for the executive order regarding the matter and will immediately implement the law once released.