Asean Advocates Seek Stricter Tobacco Control Measures

Manila—8 Ocotber 2008–IN the Philippines, even an eight-year-old child can buy cigarettes from the neighborhood store.

“It’s very easy. Most store owners assume the child or teenager has been sent by an adult to buy cigarettes for them. And, of course, cigarettes are so cheap that a young child with P2 (about 4 US cents) would be able to buy one cigarette stick,” Ms. Bungon Ritthiphakdee, Director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) said.

SEATCA is calling on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Health Ministers who will be meeting this week to pressure their governments into adopting policies that will make it more difficult for people—adults and minors—to buy cigarettes.

SEATCA noted that while 160 countries have signed the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, not all signatories have been able to effectively enforce tobacco control measures.

Among the Asean countries, for instance,” the Philippines has the lowest tax rates, at 10 to 30 percent, on tobacco products. The Philippine Government increased the excise tax on cigarettes from P2 to P2.23 per pack of low-priced brands, from P5.35 to P6.74 per pack of mid-priced brands, and from P10.35 to P10.88 per pack of high-priced brands,” Department of Health Usec. Alexander Padilla said.

In comparison, “Singapore imposes a tax rate of 64 percent while Thailand slaps duties equal to 63 percent of the price per pack of tobacco products,” he adds.

“These are just among the many indications how serious a government is in reducing and even eliminating tobacco smoking,” Ms. Ritthiphakdee said.

With present prices of cigarettes, it is not surprising that it is easier for Filipinos to buy cigarettes than their neighbors in the Asean. “The Philippines has the most expensive medicines, and the cheapest cigarettes in the region,” Usec. Padilla said.

During the two day Tobacco Control and Sustainable Development workshop in Manila, Dr. Eduardo Banzon, Senior Health Specialist of the World Bank points out “that the impact of higher taxes will benefit the poor, as they will more likely quit or reduce consumption, and governments can utilize these tax revenues for health benefits.”

A study on higher tobacco prices and taxes in Southeast Asia pointed out those tax revenues from tobacco products can be earmarked for health promotion programs and other anti-smoking campaigns. Studies in Canada, South Africa and other countries show higher taxes cause lesser consumption that, in turn, means reduced smoking-related fatalities.

Of the various tobacco control policies, taxes are easier to implement because they are applied before the tobacco product hits the streets and distributed to different dealers and stores, Usec. Padilla added.

The World Bank recommends that governments impose a tax rate of 65 to 75 percent on the retail price of cigarettes.

Article 6 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control recommends raising taxes on tobacco products to fight smoking.

“For sure, the challenges are overwhelming,” said Ms. Ritthiphakdee. “But this is literally a matter of life and death. Every little success means a life saved.” ##

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