PUBLIC HEALTH IS foremost especially for the younger generation, says a public health advocate alliance as it asked Congress to draft, deliberate and pass a legislative measure imposing a P80 tax on vape products.
According to the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), the proposed unified tax rate of P72.93 by 2027 for cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and vapes isn’t enough to curb youth access to vaping products.
The proposed rate was recommended by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Health (DOH).
Former Health Secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, in his capacity as HPA Lead Convener, said vaping products should not be considered harmless, warning of their potential impact on young people’s health.
“Vapes are far from harm-free,” said Galvez Tan even as he warned that the early development of chronic heart and lung conditions could trigger a spike in the costs for the healthcare system.
Meanwhile, HealthJustice legal adviser Benedict Nisperos took a swipe at legislators behind proposals seeking to lower the vape tax to as little as P15 per milliliter.
Nisperos, a lawyer, called such proposals “reckless and unacceptable,” arguing that lower taxes could make nicotine-containing vape products more accessible to young people.
“We cannot allow lower tax rates that enable more addictive substances, like nicotine salt vapes, to proliferate in the market,” Nisperos stressed.
The advocate group also raised concerns over “regulatory gaps” in the Philippines.
Eight of the 11 ASEAN countries have already banned vapes.
