Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Days before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), youth advocates urged him to make the health of young Filipinos a national priority by advancing policies that promote healthier lifestyles and protect children from harmful products.At a press conference on Thursday, the Youth for Health Coalition called on the President to support stronger measures that would make cigarettes, vape products, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages less accessible to children and adolescents. The group argued that increasing excise taxes on these products remains one of the most effective ways to discourage consumption, particularly among young people.Youth advocate Dale Papa said misinformation and easy access continue to expose children to nicotine addiction, citing a recent case encountered by a local government task force. “Isang 13-year old na bata ang nahuli ng local task force habang may hawak na vape. Nang tanungin siya kung saan niya ito nakuha, direkta niyang sinabi ‘nanay ko po ang bumili nito para sa akin’,” he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/focus/07/02/17/cigarettes-more-affordable-despite-sin-tax-law">Cigarettes more affordable despite ‘sin tax’ law </a> </div>According to Papa, the child&#x27;s mother later explained that she believed vaping was safer than smoking traditional cigarettes. “Pinapakita nito ang isang malaking problema: marami pa ring ang naniniwalang ligtas ang vape. Dahil sa maling impormasyon pati ang mga magulang ay hindi namamalayan na sila mismo ang naglalapit sa kanilang mga anak sa nicotine addictions.”He said the incident underscores the need not only for stricter regulation but also for better public education to counter misconceptions about vaping.The coalition also shared accounts of how the widespread availability of alcohol, sugary drinks and unhealthy food has contributed to poor health outcomes among young Filipinos. Among the issues highlighted was childhood malnutrition. Latest data from the National Nutrition Survey show that one in every four Filipino children aged 0 to 4 years is stunted.University of the Philippines economics professor Cielo Magno described the figure as alarming, saying the long-term effects extend beyond individual families and could weaken the country&#x27;s future workforce and economic growth. “Ang kabataan natin ang workforce natin. Maliban sa napakababang kalidad ng edukasyon na nakukuha ng kabataan, nagincrease ang degree ng stunting. Hindi lang ito simpleng kakulangan ng nutrisyon. Ang impact ng stunting ay may developmental learning challenges sa mga kabataan,” Magno said.She stressed that stunting must be addressed as early as possible because many of its effects are irreversible. “This is the workforce we are talking about. That’s why it is urgent.”The coalition said revenues generated from higher health taxes could help fund nutrition, healthcare and other public health programs benefiting Filipino children.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/17/bir-confiscates-illicit-vapes-in-ncr-nearby-areas-with-p33-m-unpaid-taxes-2155">BIR confiscates illicit vapes in NCR, nearby areas with P33-M unpaid taxes </a> </div><div>LAWMAKER BACKS HIGHER HEALTH TAXES</div>At least two lawmakers joined the call, expressing support for measures aimed at reducing the consumption of products linked to non-communicable diseases.Rep. Antonio Roman, a co-author of House Bill 5966, is pushing for higher excise taxes on alcoholic beverages. The proposal seeks to increase taxes by 25% initially and by 10% annually for five years on fermented liquors and alcopops. Together with House Bills 5475 and 5476, principally authored by Rep. Chel Diokno and other lawmakers, the measures are projected to generate more than P200 billion in additional government revenue over five years.Meanwhile, Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman is advocating for higher taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, proposing rates ranging from P6 to P40 per liter depending on the product. The measure is expected to generate around P90 billion in additional revenue over five years.Both lawmakers expressed optimism that several health-related measures could be enacted before the end of the Marcos administration, particularly those focused on strengthening implementation and enforcement.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/10/7/surging-numbers-of-children-using-e-cigarettes-who-0845">Surging numbers of children using e-cigarettes: WHO </a> </div>“Katulad ng vape-free and smoke-free environment, doable. Kasi ginagawa ng maraming LGUs na. Doon naman sa tax measure, talaga namang hindi na mararamdaman, hindi ka naaaray, kayang-kayo mo na bumili. Kasi nga, because of inflation, higher wages, na dilute na yung impact ng initial na tax. And malagay ko, gusto ng gobyerno, katulad na sinabi ni Professor Magno, na mag-collect ng more,” Lagman said.Roman, for his part, said growing awareness within Congress about the importance of preventive healthcare and healthier lifestyles could help build momentum for legislation that would protect future generations of Filipinos.The appeal comes as health advocates push for stronger government action against preventable diseases and unhealthy lifestyles, arguing that investing in children&#x27;s health today will yield long-term benefits for both public health and the Philippine economy.

Days before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), youth advocates urged him to make the health of young Filipinos a national priority by advancing policies that promote healthier lifestyles and protect children from harmful products.

Days before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), youth advocates urged him to make the health of young Filipinos a national priority by advancing policies that promote healthier lifestyles and protect children from harmful products.

Youth advocates seek stronger 'sin taxes' vs cigarettes, vapes, alcohol

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Youth advocates seek stronger 'sin taxes' vs cigarettes, vapes, alcohol

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 16, 2026 05:27 PM PHT

Read More:

Youth

Health

BBM

Bongbong marcos

Youth for Health Coalition

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