A health group on Monday expressed fear that the proposed Sin Tax Sabotage Bill, which would lower tobacco taxes, would expose the Filipino youth to a higher risk of cancer.
The proposed measure, House Bill 11360, was approved on second reading by the House Plenary. It seeks to lower excise tax rates on tobacco products.
Former Health chief and Health Justice Board member Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan said once put into law, it will "sabotage" hard-won strides "that will lead to a surge in the number of Filipinos who will easily access cigarettes, become addicted, acquire diseases like lung cancer, and die from smoking."
"There is nothing more urgent than the health of our people, especially our next generation," Galvez pressed.
"We have worked too hard to enact the Sin Tax Law that has proven to reduce tobacco consumption and smoking among Filipinos," he added.
Estimates by policy analysts of the Sin Tax Coalition show that a rollback in six taxes on tobacco products will make cigarettes more affordable and result in 400,000 new smokers, mostly of whom belong to the youth sector, and more than P27 billion in lost revenue in five years.
Cancer patients support network, Cancer Coalition Philippines, meanwhile, reminded lawmakers that forgone Sin Taxes will be a roadblock to preventing cancer and administering cancer care.
"Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer which is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Philippines," Cancer Coalition Philippines Vice President Carmen Auste-Sarmiento.
She noted that smoking annually leads to a P414 billion loss in productivity and related treatment costs.
"It will also jeopardize the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law and their essential life-saving health programs and services," Auste-Sarmiento lamented.
For her part, Alyannah Lagasca, Lead Convenor of the Health Philippines Alliance, said the bill would mostly impact the health and well-being of the younger generation.
"By prioritizing health-conscious policies, we can shape a future that empowers young people to develop fully and achieve their highest potential," Lagasca added.
The bill proposed that tax rates on sin products like tobacco will increase by two percent every even-numbered year starting 2026, then increase by four percent every odd-numbered year starting 2027.
The scheme will continue until 2035.
The controversial bill was co-sponsored by House Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd District Representative Kristine Singson-Meehan, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing, and Cagayan De Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.