NTA urged to discourage smuggling

MANILA, Philippines - Public health advocates are urging the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) to adopt effective policies to combat cigarette smuggling.

The group, composed of the Action for Economic Reforms, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines, Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine and Womanhealth-Philippines, asked the NTA to establish a tracking system to effectively monitor the movement of all tobacco products.

The move was in response to the NTA’s plan to impose license fees on sellers and distributors of imported tobacco products ranging from P100 to P600.

The group argued that the proposal only serves to protect the vested interests of the domestic tobacco industry.

Aside from this, the group said the proposal would violate the country’s commitment to international trade rules, which prohibit the use of internal fees or taxes to favor the domestic industry.

“We challenge the NTA to prove the legitimacy of its intention to curb illicit cigarette trade, and not merely perpetuate discrimination against foreign products. We call for a genuine smuggling-control policy that will address all threats of illicit trade, including counterfeiting and domestic smuggling,” the group said.

The NTA, on the other hand, claimed that its proposal is aimed at curbing smuggling, counterfeiting, and illicit trading of imported tobacco products through proper supervision, monitoring and regulation in order to protect the consuming, smoking public.