DAVAO CITY , Philippines — President Duterte has approved in principle the proposal to impose additional excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products, Malacañang said yesterday. Duterte approved the joint proposal of the Departments of Finance and Health during the monthly Cabinet meeting on Monday. In December last year, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading two bills seeking to increase the taxes on alcohol and tobacco products. “(This) is a health measure of course to dissuade people from excessively smoking,” Panelo said. House Bill 8677 seeks to increase the excise tax on cigarettes to P37.50 per pack in July and will be raised by P2.50 a year after that.

Source: Philippine Star January 08, 2019 16:43 UTC