Noy pushes for higher sin taxes

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino said yesterday his smoking should not be an issue as he pushed for higher sin taxes.

“We are after a sin tax measure because we want to discourage the (habit) of smoking and drinking,” Aquino said yesterday in an ambush interview after attending the launching of the “Hardin ng Lunas” project in Moncada, Tarlac.

He reiterated that he did not hide anything when he ran for president.

“It is known that I smoke. You know the pressures of the job, if I simultaneously give up... there’s no way to decompress,” Aquino said.

The President said it might be difficult not to have a way to release or cope with pressures which might affect him some other way.