
Pinoy smokers
MEDICAL experts and even ordinary people agree that cigarette smoking causes many diseases, such as cancer and diabetes.
Despite this,however, the number of smokers across the globe, including the Philippines, continues to increase.
Smoking causes heart and lung ailments. Specifically, It causes cancer in the lungs, mouth, nose, throat and even pancreas.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and health advocates have expressed alarm over the rising number of smokers in the country.
In fact, Senator Gatchalian said the country gained 9.5 million new smokers aged 10 and above between 2021 and 2023.
Gatchalian made the statement during last Wednesday’s Senate inquiry on the rising incidents of excisable products and importation of illegal vapes.
The Senate inquiry was conducted by the highly-powerful committee on ways and means, which is headed by Gatchalian.
Of the 9.5 million new smokers, around one million were adolescents, Of the new smokers, l.1 million used illicit cigarettes.
“I was wondering why despite implimenting excise tax on e-cigarettes as well as heated tobacco products, the number of new smokers increased, particularly among the youth,” he added.
That’s why, the committee is urging Congress to raise the taxes on heated tobacco products as well as cigarettes. according to Gatchalian.