The media event spotlighted the Health Tax Heroes and Hazards—a gallery that not only praised candidates with strong pro-health records but also exposed those who have prioritized industry profits over the well-being of the Filipino people.

The Health Tax Heroes include: Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Senator Ping Lacson, and Senator Manny Pacquiao, as well as Akbayan and ANAKalusugan party-lists. They have consistently supported taxing harmful products like cigarettes, vape, and alcohol, helping fund vital healthcare programs. ML Partylist and Aksyon Dapat were cited for supporting pro-health platforms. 

On the flip side, the Health Tax Hazards, those who failed to stand with public health and instead sided with industry interests, include Senators Imee Marcos and Bong Revilla.

“We need candidates for the 2025 elections to be Health Tax Heroes and stand with us in prioritizing the health and well-being of our people,” AJ Montesa, economist of Action for Economic Reforms – Sin Tax Coalition said. 

“For over a decade, the laws taxing tobacco, vape, and alcohol products have helped fund critical healthcare programs. We have to stay the course so that these taxes keep impacting consumption, given the ongoing epidemic affecting young people,” Montesa urged.

The doctors revealed their Health Manifesto, demanding candidates adopt the policy: “Tax Yosi, Vape, at Alak Now.” The manifesto calls for lawmakers to strengthen and expand sin tax laws, and insists that voters scrutinize the voting records of candidates—especially in light of the controversial Sin Tax Sabotage bill recently passed in the House of Representatives.

“We are on the front lines, witnessing the devastating effects of tobacco, alcohol, and vaping on our communities, especially the youth,” Dr. Hector Santos, president of the Philippine Medical Association.

“More than 115,000 Filipinos die yearly because of these harmful products. Taxing these substances is a life-saving measure, more than an economic tool. It is our responsibility to protect the next generation from preventable diseases and early deaths caused by these harmful products,” Dr. Santos said.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, underscored the political influence of the tobacco, alcohol, and vaping industries. “For years, some lawmakers have prioritized corporate profits over Filipino lives. This election, we are making sure voters know exactly who has betrayed public health,” she said.

The Health Taxes campaign is supported by a coalition of medical societies and advocates, including the Sin Tax Coalition, Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, and the Hepatology Society of the Philippines.

The coalition clarified that its statements reflect its commitment to public health advocacy, but should not be construed as endorsements or political opposition. It said these views are solely those of the coalition.

At a press conference Wednesday, doctors from medical societies and the Sin Tax Coalition united to convince candidates to commit to passing health tax laws that will keep these harmful products away from children and youth.

New projections from public policy think-tank Action for Economic Reforms (AER) based on the National Nutrition Survey also found that consumption rates have increased from 2021 to 2023. According to AER, these dramatic increases represent significant rises in the absolute number of young people consuming harmful products. 

“Every day that we don’t act, another Filipino family loses a loved one while the tobacco, vape, and alcohol industries profit,” said Philippine Medical Association (PMA) President Dr. Hector Santos.

“We are tired of watching the devastating health effects of alcohol, tobacco, and vape on our youth with no action taken by our policymakers. Let us be clear: this is a full-blown epidemic that demands immediate action from our leaders,” he added.  

“We are calling on candidates to stand with our parents and youth now so our children don’t have to inherit a future of early,  preventable deaths and illnesses,” the PMA president said.

The doctors and health advocates presented their 2025 Health Agenda which also urged stronger restrictions on industry sales and advertising, explaining that Filipino youth are increasingly at risk due to aggressive marketing and weak regulations on alcohol, cigarettes, and vapes. 

“These industries are making a profit at the expense of our children’s health,” said Dr. Riz Gonzales of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS).

“Flavored vapes, social media promotions, and cheap alcohol products are specifically designed to hook the next generation. Without urgent government intervention, this crisis will spiral out of control,” he added.

The press conference was attended by the PPS, the PMA, the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists, the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP), the Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Parents Against Vape, and the Sin Tax Coalition.

“We must put people over profit to stop a preventable crisis. If our leaders fail to act, they are leaving our youth to fend for themselves against an industry that is actively targeting them like lamb to the slaughter. Our candidates must take a stand and act decisively to increase taxes on these products,” said Dr. RJ Naguit of the PSPHP.

Livestream link: https://web.facebook.com/BawasBisyo/videos/1561107644599655