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Tag: Philippines

  • Philippines Industry Group: Add Tobacco to Anti-Smuggling Act

    Philippines Industry Group: Add Tobacco to Anti-Smuggling Act

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) expressed support for the inclusion of tobacco in the Philippines’ Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, reports Inquirer.net.

    There are two proposals in Congress: House Bill 3917 and Senate Bill 1812. Both bills would amend Sections 3 and 4 of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, which outline the crops covered by the law and the penalties for smuggling.

    “The NTA is in solidarity with the proponents of the proposed measures as these would [offer] solutions to the curbing of tobacco smuggling and illicit tobacco trading/agricultural smuggling in the country,” the NTA said.

    “The proposed measures against illicit tobacco trade and smuggling were meant to protect the local tobacco industry and sustain and increase the sin tax collection for the government coffers,” the NTA said.

    According to the NTA, tobacco is a high-value crop that contributes tax revenue to education, health, infrastructure and more.

    “The tobacco industry is one of the strongest pillars of the country’s economy and the lifeblood of the North as it provides livelihood and sustenance to at least 2 million people, including the [600,000] tobacco farmers and their families,” the NTA said.

  • Filipino Smoking Rate Decreases

    Filipino Smoking Rate Decreases

    Image: sezerozger | Adobe Stock

    The rate of current tobacco use and smoking among Filipinos aged 15 and older decreased to 19.5 percent, or 15.1 million, in 2021, according to GMA News.

    Exposure to secondhand smoke in homes and public places “significantly declined,” according to Vito Roque Jr. from the Department of Health’s Epidemiology Bureau, citing the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). The largest decline was in public transportation, decreasing from 37.6 percent in 2015 to 12.2 percent in 2021.

    While the quit rate among past 12-month users decreased, the number of adult smokers thinking of quitting because of health warnings increased from 37.4 percent in 2009 to 43.7 percent in 2021.

    “Key results from 2009 to 2021 showed a favorable trend in the country’s initiative on tobacco prevention and control. Results show a consistent downward trend in tobacco use prevalence [and] exposure to secondhand smoke,” Roque said.

    “These successes may be attributed to the adoption and implementation of tobacco prevention and control health policies and interventions. The results also reflect the effectiveness of the enforced key policies on tobacco taxation, graphic health warnings, protection of bureaucracy against tobacco industry interference and smoke-free environments,” he added.