The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates the Philippine Government for passing the new law increasing cigarette taxes to ₱45 in 2020 with incremental increase to ₱60 in 2023 and 5% indexation from 2024 onwards. This legislation is a step in the right direction as it has a direct health impact and will help raise funds for universal health coverage in the Philippines.
We estimate that this new tobacco tax measure will save around 260,000 lives by 2023 as we expect a decrease in smoking-attributed deaths. We also project that there will be 1 million fewer cigarette smokers with this new tobacco tax rate.
WHO also welcomes the inclusion of the new taxation on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and heated tobacco products (HTPs). We call on the Philippines through the Food and Drug Administration to strengthen the regulation of ENDS and HTPs and restrict their marketing and promotion, especially the unproven health claims of these products.
With this new tobacco tax law, it is critical to continue the implementation and strong enforcement of existing tobacco control measures such as smoke-free public and enclosed places and the graphic health warning. We urge the Philippines to complement these efforts with the full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control including the move to plain packaging, complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and accession to the Protocol on Illicit Trade in tobacco products.
We estimate that this new tobacco tax measure will save around 260,000 lives by 2023 as we expect a decrease in smoking-attributed deaths. We also project that there will be 1 million fewer cigarette smokers with this new tobacco tax rate.
WHO also welcomes the inclusion of the new taxation on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and heated tobacco products (HTPs). We call on the Philippines through the Food and Drug Administration to strengthen the regulation of ENDS and HTPs and restrict their marketing and promotion, especially the unproven health claims of these products.
With this new tobacco tax law, it is critical to continue the implementation and strong enforcement of existing tobacco control measures such as smoke-free public and enclosed places and the graphic health warning. We urge the Philippines to complement these efforts with the full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control including the move to plain packaging, complete ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and accession to the Protocol on Illicit Trade in tobacco products.