MANILA – Unlike vaping products or electronic cigarettes, President Rodrigo Duterte said he cannot ban the manufacture and importation of tobacco in the country.
Duterte on Thursday said unlike vapes, tobacco products are being taxed in the country.
“Why (we) cannot ban cigarettes? Why? Because we allow its manufacture and maybe the importation of tobacco,” Duterte added.
“We allow it, pinapayagan natin tapos we tax them. So, ‘yung produce nila ‘yung sigarilyo na lumalabas sa factory hindi natin mapigilan. Pero sabi ko harmful ‘yan. Hindi mo yan magamit saan saan,” he said.
Two years ago, Duterte banned smoking in public spaces and he recently signed a law increasing the excise tax on tobacco products.
Republic Act 11346 imposes an increase of P45 to P60 per pack in excise tax beginning next year to 2023 and then 5-percent yearly hike effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Duterte reiterated his order to ban the use of vapes due to its nicotine content.
“Itong vaping may nicotine…pero may nilagay kayong mga flavoring diyan,” he said.
“Sabi ko sa pulis, hulihin ninyo basta in public. Eh may nicotine. Parang sigarilyo, eh di bawal. Pati ‘yung sa display ipatanggal na ninyo. Hindi ako papayag,” added Duterte./PN
