Er
* QECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

18" Congress
First Regular Session

557

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Rodrigo A. Abellanosa

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Cigarette-smoking has been shown to be among the leading causes of death and
diseases all over the world. 2013 statistics show that almost 200 Filipinos are killed
by tobacco-caused diseases everyday or roughly 71,850 each year. Despite these
staggering numbers, 505,600 children and more than 15,570,000 adults continue to
use tobacco habitually. Studies made by the World Health Organization show that
tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats facing the world today killing
around 6 million people worldwide. More than 5 million of those deaths are the result
of direct tobacco use while more than 300,000 are the result of non-smokers being
exposed to secondhand smoke.

Republic Act 10351 also known as the Sin Tax Law and the recently passed bill
awaiting the President's signature entitled, An Act Increasing the Excise Tax Rate on
Tobacco Products, Amending for the Purpose Section 145 of the National Internal
Revenue Code of 1997, as Amended by Republic Act No. 10963, increased the levies
imposed on tobacco products, not only for the purpose of generating national
revenues to fund health programs, but also in hopes of reducing the number of
tobacco consumers. The impact of this law has been outstanding but there is more
that needs to be done to curb tobacco consumption that undeniably has dire effects,
on our citizenry’s health and well-being.

The current administration has well expressed its concern regarding the issue on
cigarettes. In this connection, this bi!’, to be known as the Cigarette Holidays Act,
proposes the observation of a Cigarette Holiday every 15th of each month when
smoking and selling cigarettes shall be strictly prohibited and penalized.

Our people are this na‘ion’s most precious resource. Let us all work together in
ensuring that they lead healthy and productive lives.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.

boa
RODRIGO A. ABELLANOSA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

48" Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 557

Introduced by Representative Rodrigo A. Abellanosa

AN ACT
DECLARING THE 15TH DAY OF EVERY MONTH AS CIGARETTE
HOLIDAY, PROHIBITING THE USE AND SALE OF CIGARETTES
DURING ITS OBSERVATION AND PROVIDING PENALTIES
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Cigarette Holidays Act.”
Section 2. Period of observation of the Cigarette Holidays. The 15th day of every month
is hereby declared as Cigarette Holiday when the use and sale of cigarettes are
prohibited.

Section 3. Penalties.

a) Any person who shall be caught smoking cigarettes during the observance of the
holidays shall suffer the penalty of:

i. A fine of Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000) for the first offense;

ii. A fine of Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (Php25,000) for the second offense;
or

iii, Arresto menor, or imprisonment for a period of one to thirty days and a fine
of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000) for succeeding offenses.

b) Any person who shall be caught selling cigarettes during the observance of the
holidays shall suffer the penalty of:

i. A fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000) for the first offense;

ii, Arresto menor, or imprisonment for a period of one to thirty days and a fine
of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php50,000) for the second offense; or


Arresto mayor, or imprisonment for a period of one month and one day to
six months and a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000) for
succeeding offenses.

Section 4. Separability Clause. Shouid any provision of this Act or any part thereof
be declared invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the invalid
ones, shall remain in force and effect.

Section 5. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation inconsistent with this
Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,