MANILA, Philippines—Young smokers are more likely to kick the bad habit if cigarette prices were raised to at least P5 per stick, according to a study conducted by an anti-tobacco group.
The survey, conducted early this month by HealthJustice Philippines and communication research students of the University of the Philippines Diliman, showed that 6 out of 10 students interviewed said they would quit smoking if a cigarette stick would cost as high as P5.
Nine in 10 students also said they consistently patronized and could afford high-priced brands, which are currently sold in the market for at least P32 per pack, results also showed.
The study covered 435 students from eight of the most populated public high schools in Quezon City. All were smokers aged 13-18 who have limited lunch money or “baon,” said the group.
Almost half of the respondents were 15-16 years old; 25 percent 13-14 years old; and 23 percent 17-18.
Results further showed that 33.7 percent of the respondents said they could burn up 3-10 packs a month; 28 percent of them, 1-3 packs; and 20 percent more than 10 packs a month.
The survey did not mention about the remaining 18 percent.
“The survey results confirm that making tobacco less affordable is the most effective way to reduce consumption and make more users quit, particularly those who are young and belong to the low-income families,” stated the group Wednesday.
HealthJustice economist Jo Ann Latuja noted that an increase to P5 per stick entailed a 156-percent hike in the cost of a 20-stick cigarette pack. This would mean raising a pack from P32 to P82, she said.
“This is equivalent to a 367-percent increase in a cigarette excise tax per pack or from P12 to P56 per pack,” added Latuja.
To jack up the price per stick for low-priced brands, the cost per pack must be increased by 454 percent from P15 to P82, which is equal to a more than 2,000-percent hike in cigarette excise tax, also per pack.
“The Aquino administration has already committed itself to investing in programs promoting the health and well-being of Filipinos, benefiting particularly the majority who cannot afford expensive private healthcare,” stated the group.
But it stressed that tobacco taxes in the country—the lowest in Southeast Asia—must be increased so that “cigarette prices will be high enough to protect the youth from the (harmful effects) of smoking and more revenues can be generated and spent on universal healthcare.”
Another anti-tobacco advocate, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines, had made a similar proposal last year, which would follow the so-called Obama model, which increased federal tax rate of cigarettes to provide for the health insurance of poor children.
There are 17.3 million smokers among the Philippines’ 90 million population. One of those who apparently can’t quit is President Aquino.