PHILIPPINES
A doctor specializing in lung concerns is saying a Senate bill seeking to double excise taxes on tobacco products will help halt the growing number of smokers in the country.
Dr. Lenora Fernandez, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, said, “We urge the Senate to increase the tobacco excise taxes to as much as P60 to P90 per pack because this is the only way we can cause a negative rate of increase in smokers. There will be no increase in smokers.”
Senator Manny Pacquiao’s bill, which aims to fill a PHP40billion fund gap for healthcare, will cause excise tobacco taxes to rise to PHP60 per pack from the current PHP32.50.