Amid alarming alcohol deaths, youth stage Halloween action to call for higher alcohol taxes

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 how alcohol continues to endanger young Filipinos.

“Nakakakilabot na araw-araw, may namamatay na 47 na mga Pinoy dahil sa alcohol. Ang ating mga ate, kuya, at kahit mga bunsong kapatid ang nagiging casualty sa sobrang cheap at accessible ng alcohol,” said youth leader Gwyneth Barra of UP Economics Towards Consciousness and the Sin Tax Coalition. 

The number of Filipino teens who drink has doubled in just two years, which advocates said was “a sign of how cheap and accessible alcohol has become.”

Doctors’ groups present at the event also backed the youth’s call, saying the accessibility of alcohol among minors and young adults is already a health emergency in and of itself.

“Kada taon, mahigit 17,000 Filipinos ang namamatay dahil sa alak. Think about this: Pagdating mo ng sementeryo ngayong undas, may nadadagdag na dalawang puntod kada oras, at mga kabataan ang ilan sa mga ito,” said Dr. Allandale Nacino of the Philippine Addiction Specialists Society (PASS) in a solidarity message. “The medical community is urging action. We must protect the youth and the future generation.”

Higher alcohol taxes have been proven worldwide to reduce alcohol harms, delay the onset of alcohol use among youth, and fund better health services. Yet in the Philippines, alcohol excise taxes are put on the back burner even as alcohol remains a leading cause of preventable disease.

“Alcohol misuse remains a serious public-health issue that disproportionately affects young Filipinos,” said Rep. Tony Roman of Bataan, 1st District. “Raising alcohol taxes is a practical and proven approach — it helps reduce harmful consumption, discourages early drinking, and provides much-needed funds to strengthen our health system. These reforms are about prevention, not punishment, and ensuring that our youth grow up in a healthier environment.”

Data from Action for Economic Reforms (AER) found that raising alcohol taxes could generate tens of billions in new health revenues that could expand hospitals and preventive care instead of footing the bill for preventable harm.

The activity was supported by Action for Economic Reforms (AER) and members of the Sin Tax Coalition, which advocates for stronger health taxes to reduce harm from alcohol, tobacco, and other unhealthy products. ##