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

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