 |
| HIGHER TOBACCO PRICES. A worker prepares tobacco leaves for curing at a homemade barn in Candon town, Ilocos sur province, northern Philippines. AFP photo taken in May 2013. |
THE BILL
In the article stated from Rappler, I have seen significant digits that I must say have marked a positive outcome for the implementation of the RA 10351 more popularly known to be the Sin Tax Bill
During the span of six months after the implementation of the bill, the tax collections have rose to the amount of almost P39-B. This amount was 46.06% higher than the amount raised from the same period of 2012. The additional revenue collected was said to be allotted for the administration's universal health care program and tobacco farmers' livelihood. Well, I just hope that this would really go to the said program and not just to anybody's pocket just like what happened to the infamously known Pork Barrel Scam.
EFFECTS
 |
| Secondhand Smoke |
As for me, I don't oppose the implementation of this bill because it does not only help increase the collection of taxes but in a way it could also decrease the percentage of teenage smoking and drinking. I believe that the implementation of this bill has good effects on the health of the people. With the increase of price of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products brought about by this bill, a decrease in demand will also follow. But this decrease would only be visible and significant over a long period of time. As we all know, smoking cigarettes and drinking have negative effects for those who are into these vices and we should not also discount the fact that there are also those people who get sick because of secondhand smoke.
HOPES
With all the revenue that was collected from the sin tax bill, I believe that these things should be put into a good project and not into a hoax. Even though that I don't pay taxes, I can feel the pain of those people who have worked hard to earn a living and then getting betrayed in the end by discovering that what they have paid for is now utilized by some people just for their own luxuries. I hope that this time, all the taxes gathered from this bill will be fund a good project for the welfare of the many and not just for the enjoyment of a handful.
