DOH welcomes Senate’s approval of Sin Tax Reform Bill

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday welcomed the passage of the Sin Tax Reform Bill in Congress.

"We are one step closer to enacting this bill that seeks higher tobacco excise taxes into law," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a statement.

"On behalf of the Department of Health, I extend my gratitude to the Department of Finance led by Secretary Sonny Dominguez and our legislators at both houses of Congress for fighting with to protect the health of every Juan and Juana," he added.

Duque said that around 200,000 Filipinos will be spared from the adverse effects of smoking by 2023 as the approved bill is seen to lower smoking prevalence in the country to 20 percent.

This legislation, once enacted into law, is also expected to help fill the P40-billion funding gap to implement the Universal Health Care law, according to the DOH.

Under the measure, an excise tax of P45 per pack will be imposed on cigarettes starting January 1, 2020, which will increase further to P50, P55, and P60 per pack in the next three years until 2023.

It will then be raised by 5% every year thereafter starting 2024.

At the same time, an excise tax of P10 per pack of 20 units will be imposed on heated tobacco products, while vapor products will have a P10 excise tax for every 10 milliliters starting January 1, 2020. These rates will increase by 5% annually beginning January 2021.

Vapes healthier? No evidence yet

Meanwhile, Duque reiterated that there is no evidence to the claims that e-cigarettes are healthier alternatives to tobacco products.

"There are no scientific proof yet that can say e-cigarettes are completely harmless. For the DOH, there is absolutely no acceptable level of harm especially when a Filipino lives are put to risk," he said.

Moreover, the DOH vowed to lobby for the regulation of e-cigarettes and alcoholic beverages in the 18th Congress. — Dona Magsino/MDM, GMA News