The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) headed by Administrator and CEO Belinda S. Sanchez will hold the second international tobacco summit enhancing the campaign against illicit tobacco trade at Seda Vertis North, Diliman, Quezon City on October 23- 24.
No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is invited as keynote speaker on the opening day of the summit expected to be joined by more than 200 participants from the tobacco farmers sector, local and foreign tobacco companies, media personalities, and stakeholders.
Anchored on a theme: “Advancing the Local Tobacco Industry and Combatting Illicit Trade,” the forum will focus on the discussion of the importance of the local tobacco industry, opportunities, challenges, and strategies for its further development, and the ongoing government efforts on waging war against illicit tobacco trade in the country.
“Addressing the illicit tobacco trade requires a whole of national approach, and multi-faceted strategies that include strengthening national policies, enhancing regional cooperation, improving enforcement mechanisms, and increasing public awareness,” said Administrator Sanchez.
To safeguard the country’s security and economic stability, Administrator Sanchez said that there is an urgent need to strengthen both national and regional policies and enforcement mechanisms against illicit tobacco trade.
In the past years, the Philippine tobacco industry has faced significant challenges due to the persistent issue of illicit tobacco trade.
The illicit tobacco trade adversely impacts government revenue, public health, national security, and the livelihoods of Filipino tobacco farmers. The ongoing illegal activities within the tobacco sector pose a grave threat to the country’s institutions, creating an uneven playing field.
This imbalance gives illegal operators an unfair advantage, which undermines legitimate tobacco businesses and results in substantial revenue losses for the government.
The proliferation of illegal tobacco sales in the local market is causing a decline in government revenue. This reduction in funds limits the resources available for essential public services, particularly universal health care.
The revenue lost to illegal tobacco sales empowers organized criminal groups and poses a serious threat to national security. This diversion of funds fuels organized crimes, including money laundering and trafficking in humans, weapons, and illegal drugs.
Based on the estimates of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the national government had incurred revenue loss of up to P100 billion annually due to illicit tobacco trade.
Data from the NTA showed there are 2.2 million Filipinos who are financially dependent on tobacco including more than 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their family members.
The tobacco agency launched the first-ever international tobacco summit on August 2-3, 2023 to emphasize the discussion on the campaign against the proliferation of illicit tobacco trade and smuggling. ### (By Freddie Lazaro, DA-National Tobacco Administration)
