Following the Department of Finance’s proposal to set taxes for alternative tobacco products at par with traditional ones, its adoption in the House of Representatives is likely to become a reality.

This was learned from House Committee Chairman for Ways and Means Joey Salceda as he hinted on the likelihood of such move, given the growing evidence that imposing a ban on e-cigarettes and vapes could serve as a catalyst for a so-called “black market.”

“(Given) the mounting evidence that requires higher precaution and, in the understanding that the prohibition or a ban merely creates black markets and uncontrolled and unregulated consumption, it’s better to tax it but higher,” Salceda said. “Using the precautionary principle, with taxation as a tool.”

Earlier, the approved Senate version of the sin tax bill intends to jack up prices for cigarettes at P45 a pack by 1 January 2020, increasing it by P5 annually until it reaches P60 a pack in 2023, to which it will be slapped a five percent tax annually by then.

On the other hand, e-cigarettes received a lower rate at a minimum rate of P10 per refill of vapor products with less than 10 milliliters.

However, when sought for comment on whether they will concede to the proposed P45 tax for e-cigarettes, the lawmaker said that he still needs to ask his team.