The Philippines - No Longer a Smokers' Paradise

The Philippines - No Longer a Smokers’ Paradise

Saturday, 29 December 2012 08:05 Madonna Virola

Photo: Madonna Virola

The Philippines used to be one of the cheapest places in the world to light up.

But that will no longer be the case after President Benigno Aquino signed the Sin Tax reform bill.

Drinking and smoking will be more expensive – they will cost at least double after the hefty tax hikes.

The bill aims to levy higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tobacco products to generate additional revenue of more than 800 thousand US dollars.

As Madonna Virola reports, health advocates praised the bill, saying that it’s more than just about the money.

Rosalyn Hernandez-Sebastian is a pulmonologist and a member of the Philippines Medical Association.

As a health activist, she welcomes the new bill.

“We in the medical field take it as an early Christmas gift. It’s a reason for us to celebrate because finally we have something tangible to brighten up the situation of the dismal health situation because of tobacco-related diseases. Every hour, 10 Filipinos die of varied causes related to tobacco. First is cancer, you have stroke, heart attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. These are the top killers in the global trend.”

According to the government, an estimated 28 percent of Filipinos over the age of 15 smoke, as do nearly 50 percent of males.

The Philippines also has the largest number of smokers in Southeast Asia, due partly to the very low prices of cigarettes.

A pack of 20 international-brand cigarettes costs less than 1 US dollar – about one-eighth the price of a pack in Singapore. Some local brands are half that price.

Gladys Mendoza sells cigars and liquor in her mini-store.

“With the bill, the prices will definitely go up. My customers say they will cut down or stop buying. I admit that I’m earning big money from their vices but I’m also concerned about my customers. They tell me that with a cigarette and liquor, even for a few moments, they are able to feel good, have a good sleep, to forget their problems, especially their poverty. The money to buy food is used for other things. I’m afraid that with their addiction, some of them might resort to stealing.”

Higher taxes on so called ‘sin products’ are expected to discourage the poor from smoking and drinking and keep them from getting sick.

Medical associations reckon the tax will prevent 70,000 tobacco-related deaths a year.

57-year old fisherman Efren lives in the poor village of Lazareto. He stopped fishing because his health deteriorated.

”I started smoking at 16. I saw my parents doing it. Starting with one cigarette, I went on to smoking packs of them. The same goes for drinking. I’m poor but it’s very cheap so I could afford it. Given another chance, I would not smoke because it’s taken a toll on my health. Sometime ago, I was hospitalized because I had a stroke. The sin tax bill will discourage smokers and drinkers.”

The bill is estimated to generate additional revenue of more than 800,000 US dollars in the first year.

The money will be spent on universal health care programs and supporting tobacco farmers, including farmers in northern Luzon, which is a major tobacco producing area.

The Philippines signed the World Tobacco Framework in 2004.

Passing the bill is a milestone for President Aquino - something his predecessors failed to do.

”We want to achieve universal health care. The sin tax bill will make a big contribution. While cutting down on vices, it will also generate funds for health.”

But the Philippine Tobacco Growers Association is campaigning online against all senators who voted in favour of the bill.

They’re telling people not to vote for them in next year’s elections, accusing them of being anti-farmer and anti-labour.

The campaign includes e-news, posters, text messages, emails, e-cards and e-petitions.

Health advocate Rosalyn Hernandez- Sebastian is trying to discredit the campaign by speaking out to the people.

She believes younger generations and President Aquino, a smoker himself, will benefit from the bill.

“We want to thank the President for the political will that has been shown, that finally we have something to look forward to in the very sorry picture of the health system. It’s a right step in the right direction. And many people will actually be saved not just now, but in the future. We hope that this can generate enough information, not just for smokers now, but for the future generations as well. If you have that in mind Mr President, we also ask you to look at yourself. You might want to think about your own health too because we want more bills like this to pass. We need you.”