700 percent Increase in Sin Tax Rate
By ARIES1973
@ARIES1973 (11426)
Legaspi, Philippines
August 21, 2012 5:47pm CST
In the aim of our government to reduce the risk brought about by cigarette and liquor consumption in the country, the house of representative had passed a bill to increase the taxes for such products to 700 percent. However, this bill had gained negative response from the tobacco farmers and made their protest on the particular bill. They said that there are more or less 2.9 millions farmers who depend heavily on the tobacco industry. They said that increasing the tax rate of tobacco product will adversely affect their livelihood.
If this would be the case, how would you react if the very source of living that you have would lead others people life misery?
What is you opinion about this issue my dear myLotters?
5 responses
@marguicha (215172)
• Chile
21 Aug 12
It seems similar to what farmers in Colombia and Bolivia faced when the coca farms were not taxed but burned. In Bolivia, coca is (or was) part of a worker´s salary. Coca leaves are good to cure sevral illness. I think that instead of increasing taxes or going against farmers, the governments should teach at school the dangers of smoking and liquor consumption. And they should also finance treatments for the addicts.
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
24 Aug 12
@ jinaigarcia. Thank you for the response and welcome to myLot! I hope you enjoy your stay here.
@roberten (3128)
• United States
22 Aug 12
I say those farmers should start looking for new crops to farm. Markets change and we must change with them if we hope to remain competitive within them. This may be a way to stop producing a crop that contributes to the ill health of so many. Maybe this is a blessing that will be a vehicle to produce a crop that is more health friendly.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
I agree with you on this my friend.
This way the farmer can contribute well to the daily living of the people, not to making people ill eventually. Besides, this will deter smokers from smoking them frequently, thus saving more money for much needed things in life.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
24 Aug 12
Hi roberten and simplyD! I also agree on this kind of suggestion. Actually, this was the first thing that came into my mind when I have seen the news. Would you be happy if you know that you are making money out of making other people sick? We should not only think of ourselves but others as well. Thank you friends for sharing your opinions.
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
21 Aug 12
hi aries,
here also the Govt is imposing more tax on itmes like this means all luxury items and on Petrol and diesel also and even also house hold item Gas also,due to the taxes the rates are increased,to that effect all rates of the vegetables and grocerries also increased,now a days common/middle class people living is going difficulty and difficulty,what to do?have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
24 Aug 12
Thank you yugasini for sharing this news to us. I hope the government could act on matters that would benefit the people in a way that it would not affect the livelihood of others.
@yugasini (12836)
• Anantapur, India
24 Aug 12
hi Aries,
thanks for the response, Govt should benefit to the common people, they can impose on corporate sector and rich persons,they should do some thing for common people, in most of the countries middle class people than the Rich people ,so middle class people should lead their life easily without any further burden,have a nice day.
@keshlois143 (713)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
Maybe there are other opportunities for the farmers to venture in different crop which is more friendly to the health of the consumers. The government just want to save more lives and this might be a challenge to certain businessmen to try investing to something that will not contribute to the illness of people.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
24 Aug 12
That is a good suggestion keshlois. Thank you for sharing.
@cadj92 (66)
• Hungary
22 Aug 12
Health is first, everything comes only after that! I agree that those who hurt themselves and most importantly others need to pay a higher price for their bad habit.
Those farmers, or at least most of them will have new job, as they will still have the territory, so they can product other things. And did not talk about that not all of them will need to change as there will be always smokers, regardless of the prices...
@ARIES1973 (11426)
• Legaspi, Philippines
24 Aug 12
Thanks cadj for sharing your opinion. We really have to take into consideration what is for the benefit of the many rather than the convenience of the few.
