Senator Win Gatchalian emphatically stated that the Senate Committee on Ways and Means will no longer tackle the provisions related to cigarettes in House Bill 11360 or the Excise Tax for Tobacco Products.   

The senator noted that the committee has already conducted three hearings on the measure, with specific recommendations aimed at curbing illicit trade.

“Lowering taxes won’t curb illicit trade; stronger enforcement will,” said Gatchalian, emphasizing that the most recent hearing focused on vape smuggling, especially since it’s one of the reasons vaping has become so accessible to the youth.

“We will not have any way of tackling the increase in taxation on vaping products. This is the only measure right now in the Committee that deals with the taxation of vaping products,” he pointed out.

Healthcare groups warn that HB 11360’s tobacco tax rollback provision could be used in bicam to justify lowering cigarette taxes—a major concern for public health.

“As long as I’m the Chairman of this Committee, I will not agree to include that cigarette provision in the bicam report,” Gatchalian ended.