HEALTH advocates yesterday urged lawmakers to immediately pass the Anti-Illicit Tobacco Trade Bill instead of pushing for a measure to lower tobacco taxes.
In a statement, the Sin Tax Coalition said House Bill 11286 would be the better tool to combat tobacco smuggling and not the bid to amend the law imposing tax on tobacco products.
“We ask the House, especially the sponsors of House Bill 11286 or the Anti-Illicit Tobacco Trade Bill, which civil society has been involved in crafting, to pass the said bill,” the coalition said.
Aside from hastening its passage, the anti-tobacco group said lawmakers should shield HB 11286 from tobacco industry interference.
“Resist any attempt by the tobacco industry to insert amendments that will lower tax rates by weakening inflation indexation,” said Sin Tax Coalition.
The group also welcomed the recent cancellation of all meetings in the House of Representatives related to House Bill 11279, which proposes lowering tobacco tax rates. It lauded the House Committee on Ways and Means for the move.
“This shows that the House leaders are willing to listen to health advocates and are sensitive to public opinion,” said the Sin Tax Coalition.
It said HB 11279 should be junked as it will only sabotage all the health gains of the Sin Tax Reform Law.
“It will increase the number of smokers and the number of smoking-associated deaths and diseases,” the anti-tobacco group added.