Philippines: Smokers Threatened

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte slammed cigarette smokers during his fourth State of the Nation Address saying, “They should be exterminated from the face of the earth.” He also called on Congress to further raise the tax on tobacco and alcohol because of its negative effects on health.

“I am also asking Congress to pass the remaining packages of my administration’s tax reform program,” Duterte said, referring to excise tax on tobacco and alcohol.

However, Senator Imee Marcos opposed Duterte’s call to increase taxes on tobacco, one of the primary products of her home province of Ilocos Norte. Marcos said current taxes imposed on tobacco products should be enough.