We welcome the enactment of Republic Act 11346 or the increase in the excise tax on tobacco products. We worked on passing this measure as the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the previous Congress with the goal of generating additional revenues to help fund the gap for the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. 

Apart from funding the UHC to provide all Filipinos with affordable and quality health care, RA 11346 will also result in a reduction of in the number of smokers by raising the prices of cigarettes, heated tobacco and vapor products. We want to discourage the youth from taking up smoking and also reduce deaths and disabilities brought about by smoking.

We thank the President for his support in pushing for the passage of this law.