The Philippines is anticipating the enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to outlaw tobacco smuggling and combat illicit trade.
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara reported this as head of the Philippine delegation at the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP 10) of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) being held in Panama.
Guevara said the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act is in addition to the various legislative measures already in place in the Philippines.
These include the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, the Graphic Health Warning Law, and Excise Tax Laws on novel tobacco products.
The House of Representatives in September has unanimously approved on third and final reading a measure that seeks to give more bite to the existing Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, or Republic Act (RA) No. 10845 by dangling the penalty of life imprisonment to agri-smugglers.
House Bill (HB) No. 9284, also known as the Anti Agri-Fishery Commodities and Tobacco Economic Sabotage Act, classifies smuggling of rice and other agricultural products is classified as “economic sabotage” under the measure–a crime punishable by life imprisonment.
Guevara also reported at the conference the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act (Republic Act 11900), a law governing vapes and other novel tobacco products is a landmark legislation that will help reduce the harm caused by smoking on the population.
Guevara said the law which was passed in 2022 is a significant step towards minimizing smoking-related harm.
“This legislation establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as other novel tobacco products,” Guevara stated.
The law safeguards minors by restricting the sale, including online trade, distribution, and marketing of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products or novel tobacco products, and prohibits tobacco product-related activities within 100 meters of schools, playgrounds, and facilities frequented by minors, Guevara said.
Highlighting the Philippines’ strides in FCTC implementation, he pointed to the national tobacco survey, revealing a decrease in tobacco usage from 23.8 percent in 2015 to 19.5 percent in 2021.
“This accomplishment stems from a collaborative and equitable approach, bolstered by concerted efforts across society and government,” Guevara said.
He noted that excise taxes on tobacco and vapor products, totaling nearly $3 billion in 2022, contributed to funding critical government services, including healthcare and COVID-19 recovery initiatives.
