Bello opposes total ban on smoking

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III opposes the proposal to totally ban smoking as a way to help control the spread of the new coronavirus, stressing that such a move would have serious economic impact.

Bello said the tobacco industry currently employs 2.5 million workers and pays the government P145 billion annually in excise taxes.

“If we ban smoking, those figures will be severely affected,” Bello said. “[As labor secretary, it is] my job is to protect and preserve employment.” —Jovic Yee