PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

A MEASURE abolishing the tax distinction between vape juices was filed at the House of Representatives, aiming to impose a uniform excise rate.

Filed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez and Party-list Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. In early October, House Bill No. 5364 seeks to plug what they see as regulatory gaps in tobacco taxation, including the differing excise rates applied to freebase and nicotine salt juices.

“Certain traders deliberately misrepresent products as containing only freebase nicotine when, in truth, such products contain nicotine salts, with the intent of evading the higher excise tax imposed,” they said in the measure’s explanatory note.

The measure proposes a P10-per-milliliter tax on all vape liquids, with a 5% yearly hike by 2027. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

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