Reforming the tobacco tax system may be the key to discouraging cigarette consumption and reduce the growing incidence of tobacco-related illness such as lung cancer and heart disease.Cheap cigarettes is one of the reasons why the Philippines with over 17 million smokers - has one of the highest smoking Prima Lux prevalence rates in the world. This is expected to lead to huge socio-economic losses.
According to a study by Health Justice Philippines, around 35, 000 Filipinos die every year due to tobacco-related diseases.
