Researchers have determined there remains room to increase the tax on alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, vape and heated tobacco products.
In a paper titled A Performance Review of Sin Tax Reforms from 2012 to 2020, the proposed increase should be done to reduce the public health burden on government and generate additional revenue streams.
“These should be accompanied by stronger tax administration and illicit trade enforcement,” the paper said.
Written by Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante, AJ Montesa, Lyonel Tanganco, Viviane Apostol and Patrick Acupan, the researchers noted that earlier sin tax reforms delivered on many of their promises but at the same time also identified points for improvement in engaging citizens to monitor public expenditure and allocation on tobacco-producing local government units to ensure the outcomes for health are achieved.
Another working paper titled Investment Case to Fund the National Tobacco Control Strategy (NTCS) written by Robert M. Sanders, Jr. and Zy-za Nadine Suzara, proposes to help operationalize the NTCS using a programmatic approach, and to offer ideas on how to translate the strategies into services.
The Guidebook on Local Tobacco Control Programs written by Jeshamar Calinao Villasis and Riz Supreme Balgos Comia shares best practices in tobacco control policies and programs from the local government units (LGUs) of Baguio City, Balanga City, and Iloilo City that may guide other LGUs.
Project researcher and author outputs were represented by Abante, Tanganco and Montesa who discussed their findings with panel reactors Maricar Limpin and Joy Chavez from the Action for Economic Reforms, and Armund Arguelles, OIC-division chief at the Department of Health.
Jeshamar Calinao Villasis and Robert Sanders discussed their findings with panel representatives from LGUs featured in the Guidebook.
All three working papers will be shared with relevant national agencies, civil society organizations, LGUs, local health boards, and key stakeholders to inform policies and improve resource allocation for tobacco control and prevention.
“We have a dream: quality, universal healthcare where everyone, especially the young and the poor, are not unduly burdened by diseases caused by tobacco and alcohol use,” Abante, the lead researcher, said.
“Our project outputs show that we the people can participate in shaping health systems so we can lead healthier, happier lives. We also recommend possible ways forward in maximizing health benefits from proceeds from sin tax reforms that our diverse communities fought for,” he said.
The Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012 or Republic Act 10351 was passed 11 years ago as a health measure to lower the health burden of tobacco- and alcohol-related illnesses, and as a revenue measure to fund public health programs.
Since then there have been three additional rounds of reforms that cover tobacco, alcohol, e-cigarettes, vape and heated tobacco products.
