Senator Cayetano said she had pushed for higher taxes on heated tobacco products (HTPs), Electronic Nicotine/Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS/ENNDS) and vapes, citing experts who argue that these products cause more harm and cannot be considered ‘effective cessation devices.’
Various groups believe that a pending Senate measure to raise taxes on alcohol and e-cigarettes will be vital to discourage the consumption of such products, particularly by the youth, which they believed was being targeted by e-cigarettes and heated tobacco through various flavors including candy and fruit inspired variants.
The new law hikes the tobacco excise tax to P45 per pack from P35, effective January 2020.