Sin taxes effective vs smoking

AFP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Higher tobacco taxes appear to be an effective tool in helping Filipinos kick the smoking habit, according to a group of health advocates.

The Action for Economic Reforms (AER) said this observation was based on the surveys and interviews it has been conducting to gauge the impact of the sin tax law on Filipino smokers.

Last year, President Aquino signed Republic Act No. 10351, which mandates a higher tax rate for cigarettes, among others, in a bid to make tobacco products inaccessible, especially to the poor and the youth.

Since the first quarter of 2013, AER, in coordination with the Department of Health, has been conducting interviews and focus group discussions with smokers from different sectors in order to assess changes in their smoking consumption since the implementation of the Republic Act No.  10351.

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