QC smokers support cigarette price increase

MANILA, Philippines - A recent survey of smokers in Quezon City conducted by the University of the Philippines Communication Research Society showed that 73 percent of smokers agree to increase the prices of cigarettes to prevent the youth from smoking.

The survey sample was composed of 89-percent males and 11-percent females, aged 15 to 30 (48.8 percent); 31 to 45 (33.7 percent); 41 to 60 (14.7 percent); and 61 to 75 (2.8 percent). 464 are daily smokers, 25 smoke weekly, and only seven smoke occasionally on a monthly basis. Of these 496 respondents, 66 percent admit to smoking more than 10 packs of cigarettes per month, 24 percent smoke between three and 10 packs, and only 10 percent smoke below three packs. Sixty percent of the samples consume cigarettes that are categorized as high-priced.

Tobacco tax reforms can significantly increase the prices of cigarettes through the removal of the price classification freeze and shifting to a unitary tax system. Cigarette prices should also be regularly adjusted to inflation rates and the purchasing power of consumers.

When asked how a price increase would affect the cigarette consumption of the respondents, 71 percent said that they would either stop or decrease their smoking. Fifty-four percent will quit smoking when cigarettes are priced at P5 per stick and an additional 23 percent will discontinue the addiction if cigarettes are priced at P10 each stick.

In line with this, 64 percent expressed support for legislators pushing for tobacco tax reform. The survey respondents are also in favor of smoke-free environments — 84 percent agree to have smoke-free public places to protect non-smokers, 88 percent are in favor of policies on smoke-free environments, and 81 percent are supportive of government officials pushing for smoke-free policies.

Last December 7, during a Committee on Health hearing on Graphic Health Warnings for cigarette packs at the House of Representatives, Congressman Eufranio Eriguel of La Union acknowledged that taxation is a positive measure to decrease the smoking prevalence among the population.

The Department of Budget and Management, headed by Secretary Florencio Abad, also supports reforms on sin taxes as this is a priority agenda for the current administration.

“Taxing these killers would be a key public health measure and will generate revenue for government. Let’s hope Congress sees the light on this. Wag sana sila sapian at nang maipasa na ito,” said Atty. Ipat Luna of HealthJustice Philippines.

The survey was conducted with support from HealthJustice, a non-governmental organization that aims to bridge the gap between health and law to empower Filipinos to make healthy choices and to be free from health risks that could be prevented through appropriate health policies.