FORMER Health Secretary and Iloilo Representative Janette Garin has voiced her support for imposing taxes on higher-quality e-cigarettes and vaping products to discourage their use, particularly among students and young workers.

Garin pointed out that the youth are increasingly opting for e-cigarettes and vapes, as these products are perceived as more “socially acceptable” than traditional cigarettes.

“The new generation would go by what is in. So mas sosyal ang dating ng nagve-vape o nag-e-ecigarette kesa doon sa sigarilyo,” Garin explained, noting the shift in preference, which has also impacted excise tax revenues.

Garin made the statement during a meeting of the House Committee on Ways and Means to discuss the unnumbered substitute bill to House Bill 10329, which seeks to curb the illicit tobacco trade by imposing heavy, differentiated penalties based on the degree of involvement in illegal activities.

Representative Joey Salceda, in his explanatory note to HB 10329, emphasized how illicit tobacco trade results in a loss of tax revenues, reducing funds for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act 11223). He also noted that the illegal trade undermines government institutions and supports other criminal activities.

The meeting also included discussions about revisiting the tax system to find an optimal rate that balances revenue generation and discourages consumption. Proposals included imposing a single tax rate for all vapor products and adopting a whole-of-government approach involving the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Trade and Industry, and local government units.