SIN TAX? SINo YAN?
“Para
po makalimut sa problema”, a very common reason of why such Filipinos smoke and
drink too much. According to the Philippine Department of Health, 10 Filipinos
die every hour in the country because of smoking and almost 1000 people a year
die because of drunken driving incidents.
I know that such people are longing how to avert themselves to
cigarettes and liquors but turning away from what you have used to is really
not easy. However, if we think of one factor of why they still keep on smoking
and drinking, it is because they have an easy access to it. So, let’s see which
of the two would they really choose; smoking and drinking or their money?
YES TO SIN TAX,NO TO SIN
If taxes imposed in cigarettes and
liquors increase, it will also increase the revenue of the government and this
revenuSIe will hopefully be used to create more projects and improvements for public
welfare such as schools, hospitals, roads, etc. In this way, the government
would be able to comply with the social needs of many 
citizens like for
example, for education, building additional schools or even just classrooms to
meet with the increasing population of students, especially those in isolated
areas. I guess, it is wiser to give the burden of taxes to people who spend
their money who uncontrollably smokes and excessively drink liquors.
HEALTH IS WEALTH
Sin Tax law is also implemented to give health benefits and protection to the people. Smoking and excessive drinking deteriorates the lives of many people. These bad habits lead people to illness and even to death. Such bad habits are unhealthy and create higher medical costs. In return, if taxes are increased and so it will add more revenue that can pay for these expenses and at the same time can control the widespread use of these products. Smokers and drinkers are not the only ones who will be affected but their actions could also disturb the people around them.
HAPPY FAMILY
For example, a typical father in a
squatter area who drinks every night with his neighbours in their veranda and is
also a chain-smoker. His family who are just watching tv are twice in danger by
just inhaling the smoke and if their father gets drunk, it is possible for him
to execute violence towards his family. This scenario is, unfortunately common
to Filipino lives, especially to the poor. In this way, Sin Tax Law is able to
tighten family relationship and promote healthy and peaceful lifestyle to
Filipinos. It can also reduce the risks of Filipino dying from these bad habits
and also those who are also victimized by people who do such habits. SIN TAX ERROR
However, Sin Tax Law could also negatively affect the
suppliers of these products, especially the people who sell cigarettes in the
street, mini sari-sari stores who depend much of their profit from selling
cigarettes and liquors and also the tobacco farmers who are given inequitable
share for the tobacco production by the rich ones. They say that Sin Tax Law
means a loss of the livelihood of such people.
If
it would be a loss, then what would be the sense of resolving problems
associated by the use of cigarettes and liquors if then it would create
unemployment and worsen the poverty which are also some of the major problems
here in our country? It is really a significant opposition to be considered.
This is a matter of choice and a sacrifice. But maybe, there are some alternatives
to do than to sell cigarettes and liquors. There are many products to vend
which are more profitable and also very basic that every human needs. But for
tobacco farmers, I hope that there can be other products of tobacco that can
still be beneficial and helpful to their lives and also to the nation.THEY MUST PAY FOR IT
We
all pay taxes. We pay taxes not because for the sake of the government but for
the sake of the entire nation. We pay taxes and we are also the beneficiaries;
like for example health insurances. I just want to point out that, smokers and
drinkers have greater chance to create medical costs so as early as possible
they can pay such costs by paying higher prices to cigarettes and liquors; than
availing the taxes paid by people who spend their money for food, medicines and
other things for survival.THEY ARE NOT BAD PERSONS
We cannot really say why people
cannot avoid smoking and drinking. It is maybe because of some problems
that they need to temporarily forget them and be relieved. Maybe, this is one
way to escape reality. There are times that we experience difficulties and
problems and we seek for something that we think can release us from the
pressure and tension and eventually grows into addiction. 
Okay, we will now
again say that there are many solutions to problems aside from isolating ourselves
with these bad habits. Yes, they can smoke and drink to temporarily leave the
stress but be sure afterwards, everything will be fine.
SOMEONE NEEDS YOU, SOMEONE LOVES YOU
Smokers and alcohol
drinkers are already aware of the consequences that may affect them, but one
thing they fail to realize is that the people who love them are already tired
of worrying and thinking that if they keep on smoking and drinking, then when
would they stop? When the doctor tells them that their lungs are not
functioning anymore? Or they are already dying? Before I forget, I am not
saying that smoking and drinking is immoral but if it is done too much then it
can be.
IT'S NOT YET THE END
This post is reflected from this article http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/12/21/888415/sin-tax-bill-signed-law.
