As part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal tobacco products in the Philippines, the National Tobacco Administration conducted a webinar entitled “Government Fights Back: Combating Illicit Tobacco Trade” on April 7.
Resource speakers featured NTA Administrator/CEO Robert Victor G. Seares Jr.; Rep. Jericho Jonas Nograles, head of the Technical Working Groups on Illicit Tobacco and Agricultural Smuggling (Ways and Means); Atty. Beverly Milo, HREA, Large Taxpayers Service – Excise Group; and Atty. Vincent Philip C. Maronilla, Assistant Commissioner of the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG), Bureau of Customs.
Topics focused on on-ground experience and initiatives of their respective agencies to combat anti-illicit trade.
According to the House Committee on Ways and Means, an estimated PHP 60 billion in taxes a year is lost because of untaxed tobacco products. That’s money that could have been used to fund several social service programs for Filipinos.
To help curb these losses, the NTA vowed to intensify its drive against smuggled and illegal cigarettes. With the help of its partner agencies, the NTA launched a large-scale information campaign battling the illicit tobacco trade. This campaign aims to educate both consumers and retailers about the dangers of illegal tobacco products.
“The sale of illegal cigarettes poses a major risk to public health and serious damage to our economy. The NTA, as ever, is committed to supporting the government in this fight,” he said. Administrator Seares in his presentation shared the economic impact of the tobacco industry