Congress has power over ‘sin taxes’ – Cayetano

SENATOR Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano said Congress has the jurisdiction to impose higher taxes on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vapes as a means to regulate their use.

Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means committee, made the assertion at the start of plenary debates on Senate Bill 1074, which seeks to raise “sin” taxes on alcoholic beverages and vaping products.

Responding to Sen. Francis Tolentino’s question on whether Congress could impose a tax on e-cigarettes even if these products were yet to be given certification by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Cayetano clarified that the Congress had already imposed taxes on e-cigarettes since the enactment of Republic Act 11346 earlier this year.

“So, this committee is not proposing a new kind of tax. It’s already recognized by Congress under its jurisdiction. This committee is just increasing that tax,” she said.

Cayetano pointed out that taxation is “just one tool” that would help curb these new kinds of vices. She said other pro-health initiatives should be put in place to complement the sin tax bill.

“Taxation is not the end-all, beall. So, we must help our Health department come up with measures to provide a health approach to the problem of smoking and drinking,” she said, while expressing her plan to push for additional regulatory measures on e-cigarettes.

The senator noted that she intends to draft a measure that would regulate the marketing and ban the advertising of e-cigarettes in the country.

“Exposure to these products will be dangerous because the science is not yet clear about its dangers. I’m concerned for the young people in general as these products can easily entice them,” she said.

A total of 42 countries worldwide have already banned the use of e-cigarettes, while 10 countries banned the use of heated tobacco products due to growing evidence that such products are dangerous to people’s health.