Medical societies and the Sin Tax Coalition have criticized the swift passage of House Bill 11360, which seeks to lower excise taxes on tobacco, cigarettes, and vapor products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, to boost tax revenues.
According to legislative records, the measure was filed on January 28 and immediately read at the plenary session. By February 3, the House had passed it on third and final reading with a 190-4 vote and transmitted it to the Senate the following day. The bill advanced just two days of plenary after its filing and was swiftly approved on second reading. It is a substitute for House Bills 11279 and 11288, both filed in January this year.
Critics have slammed the rapid progression of the bill as “railroading,” even though the latest data from the National Nutrition Survey show that vaping and alcohol use has doubled among Filipino youth, according to the Philippine Medical Association.
Citing the 2024 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, pediatric pulmonologist Corry Avancena said one in seven Filipino children aged 13 to 15 use e-cigarettes or vapes daily – despite existing laws prohibiting sales to their age group.
She said that excise taxes on vice products like vapes should be increased instead of lowered, as children are “price sensitive.” Higher costs could discourage them or make them think twice before buying.
The Action for Economic Reforms has found that alcohol and tobacco consumption has cost the Philippines P1.1 trillion per year, highlighting the need for higher health taxes, which is opposite of what our legislators are trying to do, as that cost will ultimately grow if those products that are harmful to health are made more easily available.
Making tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes more accessible to the general public, including the youth, by lowering excise taxes.
It is certainly strange to see the swift passage of HB 11360 that will lower excise taxes on tobacco and vapor products, making these products that are harmful to the health of the public, and even the youth, more accessible. Legislators that think they can afford not to heed its critics may want to take note that this year being an election year, the issue can be used against those who pushed for legislation that could do more harm than good.*
