BAT benefits from Philippines’ sin tax

British American Tobacco Philippines (BATP) is expecting to enjoy a strong double-digit growth in its operations this year, largely due to robust sales of its low-cost brand, Pall Mall, and the more expensive, menthol-capsule-filtered Lucky Strike Click & Roll, according to a story in The Philippine Star.

BAT Philippines general manager James Lafferty said Pall Mall, which sells for PHP32 a pack, had become the second best-selling brand in 7-Eleven stores.

“We remain a small player in the Philippines but we’re very happy with our market share, which has been improving,” Lafferty was quoted as saying. “We beat all our targets last year.

“We’re very pleased with the government’s efforts to maintain a level playing field. The sin tax rule is a complete victory for the government.”

Lafferty added that higher taxes on cigarettes would not have a significant impact on tobacco consumption or use. Consumption would remain at current levels until 2017, he said.