Senate agrees on regulation, taxing of vaping, e-cigarettes

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday agreed to regulate and tax vaping and e-cigarette products, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

This came after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the ban of using vaping products in public spaces.

Zubiri said senators reached an agreement on regulating vaping and e-cigarette products during a caucus requested by Senator Pia Cayetano who chairs the chamber’s ways and means committee.

Duterte earlier certified as urgent Senate Bill No. 1074 which seeks to increase excise tax on liquor, e-cigarettes, and vapor products.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the bill will generate an additional P47.9 billion in the first year of implementation and around P356.9 billion over the next five years, which would help fund the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act.