President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to pass additional tax reform measures including higher tax for tobacco and alcohol products.
In his 4th State Of the Nation Address (SONA) Duterte said smokers should be eliminated from the earth
“They should be exterminated from the face of the earth,” Duterte said.
In 2017, Duterte signed an Executive Order 26 banning smoking in public places.
The signing of the EO fulfills Duterte’s campaign promise to replicate nationwide a similar policy he has implemented in Davao City, where he served as mayor for 20 years.
The EO also requires the establishment of Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs), which may either be an open space or an enclosed area with proper ventilation.
This year, the Health Department also prohibited the use of e-cigarettes or vaping.
