Tobacco stakeholders discuss ways to fight entry of illicit cigarettes | ABS-CBN
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Tobacco stakeholders discuss ways to fight entry of illicit cigarettes
Tobacco stakeholders discuss ways to fight entry of illicit cigarettes
MANILA — Tobacco stakeholders in the Philippines are saying that fighting the entry of illegal tobacco products into the country is one of the biggest concerns of the industry.
MANILA — Tobacco stakeholders in the Philippines are saying that fighting the entry of illegal tobacco products into the country is one of the biggest concerns of the industry.
At the Tobacco Summit held Monday, Rohbert Ambros, regulation department head of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), said most of the illicit products were coming from either Indonesia or Malaysia.
At the Tobacco Summit held Monday, Rohbert Ambros, regulation department head of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), said most of the illicit products were coming from either Indonesia or Malaysia.
Ambros noted that the volume of legal tobacco products was on a downward trend while the volume of illicit products was increasing.
Ambros noted that the volume of legal tobacco products was on a downward trend while the volume of illicit products was increasing.
He also said that, according to data, the prevalence of smoking increased in 2021, while the availability of illegal tobacco products has doubled since 2019.
He also said that, according to data, the prevalence of smoking increased in 2021, while the availability of illegal tobacco products has doubled since 2019.
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"Increasing our efforts to fight illicit tobacco trade will improve the country's image in the global market," Ambros said.
"Increasing our efforts to fight illicit tobacco trade will improve the country's image in the global market," Ambros said.
"Raising our standards of curbing illicit trade through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach will enable our country to compete globally," he added.
"Raising our standards of curbing illicit trade through whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach will enable our country to compete globally," he added.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue estimated that the national government had incurred tobacco excise tax collection loss of up to P100 billion annually due to illicit trade.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue estimated that the national government had incurred tobacco excise tax collection loss of up to P100 billion annually due to illicit trade.
NTA also noted that the illicit tobacco trade adversely impacts the livelihoods of 2.2 million Filipinos who are financially dependent on tobacco including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their family members.
NTA also noted that the illicit tobacco trade adversely impacts the livelihoods of 2.2 million Filipinos who are financially dependent on tobacco including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their family members.
Stakeholders talked about global trends, opportunities, and strategies to strengthen the Philippine tobacco sector’s growth in the global market.
Stakeholders talked about global trends, opportunities, and strategies to strengthen the Philippine tobacco sector’s growth in the global market.
“The summit aims to underscore the importance of the local tobacco industry in the economy, explore growth opportunities, and strengthen collaborative efforts to combat illicit tobacco trade,” NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez said.
“The summit aims to underscore the importance of the local tobacco industry in the economy, explore growth opportunities, and strengthen collaborative efforts to combat illicit tobacco trade,” NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez said.
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