NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
'Don't Let Profits Cloud Public Health': Pia Cayetano Pushes Back Against Vape, Tobacco Tax Cuts
Photo credit: Pia Cayetano
“Public health must never take a backseat to industry profits.”
That was Senator Pia Cayetano’s firm message as she stood her ground against a proposed bill that aims to cut excise taxes on tobacco, vapes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
In a strong show of support for health advocates, Sen. Pia is taking a hard pass on House Bill No. 11360, which would roll back some of the tough tax measures currently in place for these so-called “sin products.”
If you’re wondering why this matters so much, here’s the gist: sin taxes—those extra charges slapped on harmful products like cigarettes and vapes—aren’t just for show. They’re meant to discourage people, especially young Filipinos, from picking up dangerous habits. They also fund crucial health services, like the Universal Health Care program.
Sen. Cayetano, who’s been a vocal champion of health reforms, pointed out that these taxes save lives. She should know—she sponsored the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2020. That law significantly raised taxes on vapes and HTPs while adding safeguards to keep them out of the hands of kids.
But here’s the kicker: just a year after that law passed, the so-called “Vape Law” came in and stripped away many of those protections. And the result? A vaping surge among teens that’s now being called a “vapedemic.”
According to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, vaping among adolescents skyrocketed—from 3.2% back in 2018–2019 to a shocking 39.9% in 2023. That’s nearly 40% of teens now vaping.
“This is exactly why we need strong policies in place,” Sen. Pia warned. “We can’t afford to make the same mistakes twice.”
She also raised a major concern about the massive health costs tied to smoking and vaping—costs that pile up to hundreds of billions of pesos every year.
Cutting sin taxes, she argued, would only make things worse: “It won’t solve the problem of illicit trade, and it definitely won’t cover the rising health costs these products bring.”
On a brighter note, Sen. Cayetano did welcome a comment from Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, who also doesn’t think slashing sin taxes is the way to go.
“The goal of our Sin Tax laws has always been clear: to discourage harmful habits and protect Filipinos,” she said. “We owe it to our people, especially the youth, to stick with policies that put their health and future first.”
With vaping on the rise and public health at stake, Sen. Pia’s message is loud and clear: Don’t let short-term profit win over long-term well-being.
That was Senator Pia Cayetano’s firm message as she stood her ground against a proposed bill that aims to cut excise taxes on tobacco, vapes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs).
In a strong show of support for health advocates, Sen. Pia is taking a hard pass on House Bill No. 11360, which would roll back some of the tough tax measures currently in place for these so-called “sin products.”
If you’re wondering why this matters so much, here’s the gist: sin taxes—those extra charges slapped on harmful products like cigarettes and vapes—aren’t just for show. They’re meant to discourage people, especially young Filipinos, from picking up dangerous habits. They also fund crucial health services, like the Universal Health Care program.
Sen. Cayetano, who’s been a vocal champion of health reforms, pointed out that these taxes save lives. She should know—she sponsored the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2020. That law significantly raised taxes on vapes and HTPs while adding safeguards to keep them out of the hands of kids.
But here’s the kicker: just a year after that law passed, the so-called “Vape Law” came in and stripped away many of those protections. And the result? A vaping surge among teens that’s now being called a “vapedemic.”
According to the 2023 National Nutrition Survey from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, vaping among adolescents skyrocketed—from 3.2% back in 2018–2019 to a shocking 39.9% in 2023. That’s nearly 40% of teens now vaping.
“This is exactly why we need strong policies in place,” Sen. Pia warned. “We can’t afford to make the same mistakes twice.”
She also raised a major concern about the massive health costs tied to smoking and vaping—costs that pile up to hundreds of billions of pesos every year.
Cutting sin taxes, she argued, would only make things worse: “It won’t solve the problem of illicit trade, and it definitely won’t cover the rising health costs these products bring.”
On a brighter note, Sen. Cayetano did welcome a comment from Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, who also doesn’t think slashing sin taxes is the way to go.
“The goal of our Sin Tax laws has always been clear: to discourage harmful habits and protect Filipinos,” she said. “We owe it to our people, especially the youth, to stick with policies that put their health and future first.”
With vaping on the rise and public health at stake, Sen. Pia’s message is loud and clear: Don’t let short-term profit win over long-term well-being.
May 19, 2025
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