What’s Happening in Tobacco? Q1 2018

Philippines toincrease tobaccoexcise tax

Congress has agreed to raise tobacco excise from PHP30.00 per pack to P32.50 perpack in the first half of 2019, and to PHP35.00 per pack during the second half of theyear, to raise PHP130 billion per annum in net revenue. Meanwhile, Singapore raisedtobacco excise tax by 10% from 19 February.

Japan to increasetax on tobacco andHNB

Reports suggest that the government plans to increase tobacco tax to JPY15.20 percigarette from JPY12.20. HNB tax is also to be raised from the current levels, whichare below tobacco tax rates.

Jail for illicit sellersand users

The Lower House of the Australian Parliament has passed and sent to the Senate abill that would introduce a jail term of up to five years for possessing, buying or sellingillicit tobacco products.

Kenya bans shisha

According to the Ministry of Health: ‘No person shall import, manufacture, sell, offer forsale, use, advertise, promote, facilitate or encourage shisha smoking in Kenya,’ underthreat of fine or imprisonment. Kenya is the third East African country to ban shishasmoking, following Tanzania and Rwanda.

MEP questionsBelarus’ illicitmanufacture

A Lithuanian MEP has asked whether the European External Action Service (EEAS) isgoing to address the issue of cigarettes manufactured in Belarus being sold in EUmember states. The MEP alleged that brands manufactured at the Grodno factorywere being smuggled into more than 20 member states.