MANILA, Philippines — As alcohol-related deaths and social harms continue to rise, health advocates launched the “Sinasaktan ng Alak ang Pamilya” campaign, calling for increased alcohol taxes and enforcement to protect Filipino families. At a media launch on April 24, health advocates and affected Filipinos shared data and personal narratives that highlighted the real-life impacts of alcohol harm on families. “This campaign shows that alcohol harm continues because our polici

Financial barriers—particularly higher cigarette taxes—could play a crucial role in helping more Filipinos quit smoking, according to new research published in the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases. Study participants were shown cigarette pack images and their responses indicated that raising the tax rate on cigarettes to P90 per pack and increasing graphic health warning coverage to 85% could encourage more Filipinos who smoke to consider quitting. | Contributed photo A new s

MANILA – A coalition of health and child rights advocates backed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s call to raise the age restriction for vape and tobacco products to 25. “We strongly support increasing the legal age restriction for vape and tobacco products from 18 to 25,” the Philippine Tobacco Control Coalition said in a statement. The group cited scientific evidence showing that the brain of a young person “continues to develop until the mid-20s.” “Nicotine exposure duri

A new study suggests that increasing cigarette taxes and expanding graphic health warnings on cigarette packs could encourage millions of Filipinos to quit smoking. Research published in the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases found that raising the excise tax on cigarettes to P90 per pack, a 23% increase from the current rate of P69.46 – could prompt about 5.5 million smokers in the Philippines to consider quitting. The study was conducted by researchers from the Institute for

Today, Feb. 23, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing to deliberate on House bills on a number of tax measures, including bills which propose to lower taxes on vape products. House Bill (HB) 5207, authored by House Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan et al., HB 5364 authored by Representatives Rufus and Maximo Rodriguez, and HB 5212 by Representative Ferdinand Hernandez, all similarly claim to endeavor to alleviate the burden of illicit tobacco trade and “

PAMPANGA. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla leads the raid at an illegal cigarette warehouse in Pampanga. THE Action for Economic Reforms (AER) is strongly urging the government to be relentless in its operations against illicit tobacco manufacturing and smuggling. In a statement, the AER said there is a need for a strict strong enforcement to counter illicit trade of tobacco products. "AER reaffirms its stand that good enforcement, as exemplified by the latest DILG action, is

We, the petitioners of GR No. 274778, thank the Supreme Court for ruling that Special Provision 1(d), Chapter XLIII of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), and the Department of Finance (DOF) Circular 003-2024 are void, and ordering the return of the PhP60 billion funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The Supreme Court ruling is a victory for all Filipino people and their right to health. It is timely, for it will influence the outcome of th

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros underscores the need to protect public health and government revenues through stronger enforcement against tobacco smuggling during the launch of Action for Economic Reforms’ (AER) study on illicit cigarette trade in the Philippines. Hontiveros warned that lowering tobacco taxes amid weak enforcement “may not be a good idea” for the economy. The government stands to lose billions in potential revenue unless it strengthens enforcement against the illici

Advocates believe that raising the excise tax on alcohol would not only curb consumption and save lives but also strengthen public health financing MANILA, Philippines — Tombstones filled the Boy Scout Circle in Quezon City on Tuesday, October 28, as several advocacy groups called for the implementation of higher excise taxes on alcohol. The tombstones, written with anti-alcohol statements, stood for the 47 Filipinos who die every day due to alcohol-related causes. Representa

On Tuesday, October 28, youth and community advocates gathered in Quezon City for a creative action entitled “So Cheap, So Deadly: Reduce Alcohol’s Reach,” calling for higher alcohol taxes. The event was held in response to the increasing cases of alcohol-related illnesses and deaths, especially among the youth. Forty-seven tombstones bearing anti-alcohol statements were laid at the Boy Scout Circle to symbolize the 47 Filipinos who die every day due to alcohol-related causes

Tombstones, 47 in total, were lined up along Boy Scout Circle to symbolize the 47 deaths occurring each day in the country due to alcohol, according to the Sin Tax Coalition. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Various groups, including youth advocates, took part in a Halloween-themed creative action in Quezon City to call for the increase of alcohol taxes amid the high number of alcohol-related deaths among young Filipinos. Tombstones, 47 in total, were lined up along Boy

With 47 Filipinos dying every day due to alcohol-related causes, young advocates on Tuesday, Oct. 28, staged a symbolic Halloween protest in Quezon City, calling on lawmakers to raise alcohol taxes and curb what they described as an epidemic of cheap, deadly drinking. The action, dubbed “So Cheap, So Deadly: Reduce Alcohol’s Reach,” featured rows of tombstones representing lives lost to alcohol, which is a stark reminder, participants said, that the country’s lax alcohol poli

MANILA, Philippines—Set against an installation of tombstones representing lives lost to alcohol, nearly a hundred young advocates gathered in Quezon City on Tuesday for a creative action titled “So Cheap, So Deadly: Reduce Alcohol’s Reach” a symbolic call to raise alcohol taxes in the Philippines as alcohol-related illnesses and deaths rise among the youth. From community violence and mental health struggles to road crashes and early deaths, the youth-led event highlighted h

On Wednesday, August 20, the Sin Tax Coalition expressed its full support for 1TAHANAN Party-list Representative, Rep. Nathaniel “Nat” Oducado, as he filed House Bill 3887, which raises excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. “We commend Rep. Nat for being the first legislator in the 20th Congress to propose a bill raising excise taxes on alcohol. This is a huge step towards protecting our youth and young adults from the devastating harms of alcohol, one of the leading risk fact

THE Marcos Jr. administration is pressed to raise health taxes aimed at financing healthcare and human capital development amid mounting debt and a widening fiscal deficit. Lobby group Action for Economic Reforms (AER) is calling on the administration to adopt sound revenue-generating measures that are “bold yet urgent,” considering the country’s “serious fiscal problem.” Taxing alcohol and sweetened beverages could help fund development goals, generate significant governmen

INQUIRER.net stock images MANILA, Philippines — A policy think tank has urged the government to slap higher taxes on sugary drinks, warning that the health and fiscal punch of the existing levy has lost its fizz. Action for Economic Reforms (AER) said the one-time increase in sweetened beverage taxes under the Duterte administration initially helped curb consumption. But with prices rising steadily, the measure’s impact has weakened, the group said. To restore its bite, the

Our newly elected lawmakers are now in the position to do what is right for public health. As the 20th Congress assembles, its members carry more than the hopes of their constituents. Our senators and representatives hold the power to shape a future where health is not a privilege but a right for every Filipino. With fresh mandates and renewed commitments, they have the opportunity before them to pass pro-health, life-saving policies that put people first. The first order of

MANILA, Philippines — Gian, a third-year high school student, has never had to worry about how to get alcohol after class. Gian studies at a public high school in Santa Rosa, Laguna, where there is no shortage of convenience stores and sari-sari stores selling colorful alcopops or pocket-sized “kiddie packs” of cigarettes. Often, they’re the same stores that sell them pens and snacks. “If I want to drink alcohol after school like the other kids my age do, there are many ways

“Basta drink moderately.” “Yosi break lang.” “Mas safe naman ang vape.” These sound like everyday phrases baked into our culture. But have you ever paused to ponder what their origins were? Today, there is an epidemic of alcohol, vape and tobacco use among our youth, and how we talk about these products is key to understanding the problem this represents. When one in eight Filipino youth is already using tobacco, and alcohol brands spend billions seemingly targeting younger c

Fake news ang “drink responsibly.” Isa lamang ito sa mga diskarte ng alcohol industry upang ilihis ang atensyon mula sa tunay na problema— ang alak mismo. Sino nga ba ang mga tunay na may pananagutan sa malawak na pinsala at pahamak na dulot ng alak sa ating kalusugan at ekonomiya? At ano ang mga malimit nilang palusot? Fake News #1: “Drink responsibly” Palusot ito ng industriya para ipasa ang sisi sa konsyumer. Pero ayon sa World Health Organization (WHO), kahit kakaunti o m