Nice one, Mr. Ona.
I'm not even applauding for his idea. This is sarcastic.
Come on, higher tax for cigarettes?!
Cigarettes, a powerful influential object used to satisfy one's self, is now being discouraged by DOH, simply by implementing tax. One's considered as the cheapest yet the deadliest vice, smoking has been a habit in the Philippines. Even myself, who once tried and admittedly became a fan of Mr. Marlboro but has decided to quit due to my running career, is discouraged by the news of the proposed plan of our newest kill-joy DOH secretary.
Currently, one stick costs Php 2.00. Now, by implementing a tax of $0.10(which is 4.50), a stick of once cost 2.00 becomes tripled, close to Php 7.00 per stick. One pack costs Php 40.00. Again, with tax involved, it simply became Php 90 ranging up to Php 120.
How can a low-tier employee afford Php 7.00 per stick if one is consuming close to one pack, which is 20 sticks a day? Middle-class employee or employer can probably afford these prices with such consent but how about those minimum wage employees who in their belief, smoking is part of their everyday life?
Both has pros and cons. Cons, you're taking away one's daily routine. As our driver would say, "yosi nalang ang pampawala ng pagod at stress namin, tataas pa". I seriously doubt that people would approve this proposal. Smokers has a saying, as my previous colleague would say, "kung nakakamatay ito, mas masaya nang mamatay na nagawa ko lahat ng bawal, at least ng enjoy ako."
Pros, you're saving one's health. Lesser guys or gals who would be sitting outside of Starbucks sitting in their comfortable chair just to smoke, kahit mukha silang tae di naman bagay mag-yosi. Also, you're calling out on smokers to use their hard-earned money to buy food or other things instead of wasting on cigarettes, which is true. Clean living as they say, and a better quote to describe is, "better safe than sorry."
Me? I've quit smoking ever since I tried long runs. I've discovered, i don't know if other smokers would agree, is that quitting smoking makes me comfortable in running and even basketball. I just feel so bad for these low-tier employees if this bill is passed. I know people can still afford cigarettes. What is Php 120.00 for those managerial level employees or even businessmen? Even staffs of companies absolutely can afford this figure but at what cost? Lung cancer?
If President Noynoy read this blog, he can think, use yout bald head and a teeny weeny brain to consider whether this bill is really amendable or not. Think of what you're taking away from those people who will not be able to afford cigarettes if these VAT is passed. Maybe it's time to blame my favorite senator, the useless Ralph Recto for passing another useless bill, which is E-VAT.
Lastly, I'm not a smoker but I still feel for these smokers.
Are you with me Mr. Ona? Perhaps a tobacco session with Fidel Ramos might do the trick.
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