A top official from the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has advocated for imposing significantly higher excise taxes on vape products compared to traditional cigarettes. During a Senate Committee on Ways and Means hearing, BIR Assistant Commissioner Jethro Sabariaga argued that while cigarettes and heated-tobacco products could be taxed similarly, vape products warrant a much steeper levy.
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Proposed ban on flavored tobacco/vapes and $2 cigarette tax increase stalls in Washington state legislature despite youth vaping concerns.
Read moreSenator Gatchalian pushes higher vape/tobacco taxes to curb youth use & smuggling, while health advocates oppose HB 11360’s broader impact.
Read moreExperts at ISSA 2025 call for Indonesia to differentiate tax & regulation for vapes/nicotine pouches from traditional cigarettes.
International experts are urging the Indonesian government to refine its regulatory and tax policies for alternative nicotine products like vapes and nicotine pouches, advocating for a risk-proportionate approach that differentiates them from more harmful conventional cigarettes. While praising Indonesia for allowing these products, unlike some neighboring countries, concerns were raised about current tax equivalency with traditional tobacco.
Read morePhilip Morris Brands See 10 TL Increase, Pushing Prices Higher
Smokers in Türkiye are facing significantly higher cigarette prices in 2025, with major brands experiencing substantial increases attributed largely to hikes in the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on tobacco products.
Read moreThe Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee has taken a split stance on tobacco taxation, approving a bill to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes while rejecting a proposal to raise the tax on traditional cigarettes. The vote against the cigarette tax hike was 7-4, while the legislation to increase the tax on vapes and e-cigarettes, sponsored by Vacherie Representative Ken Brass, passed with a 9-6 vote.
Read moreIndiana lawmakers are grappling with a significant budget challenge as they face a $2.4 billion shortfall. To address this issue, a controversial proposal has emerged: doubling the state’s cigarette tax to $2 per pack.
Read moreThe Philippines has been steadily increasing excise taxes on tobacco products in recent years, with the latest adjustments taking effect on March 22, 2025. These tax hikes are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to discourage smoking and raise revenue for the country’s universal healthcare program.
Read moreGovernor Phil Murphy has unveiled a new tax proposal that would significantly increase the cost of cigarettes and vaping products in New Jersey. The tax hikes, part of the state’s budget plan, are expected to generate $51 million in annual revenue.
Key Tax Increases Under the Proposal
- Cigarette Tax Hike: The per-pack tax would rise from $2.70 to $3.00, bringing in an estimated $41 million annually.
- Vape Liquid Tax Increase: The tax on nicotine-containing e-liquids would triple from $0.10 to $0.30 per milliliter.
- E-Liquid Container Tax: The state would also triple the container tax from 10% to 30%, adding $10 million in projected revenue.
Murphy’s administration justifies the tax hikes as a way to boost public health while also increasing state revenue. However, critics argue that the move disproportionately affects lower-income residents and could drive more consumers to cross-border or black-market purchases.
While some lawmakers support the tax increases as a discouragement strategy for nicotine use, opponents warn that excessive taxation may push consumers toward unregulated alternatives.
As New Jersey’s budget discussions continue, the debate over these tobacco and vape tax hikes is expected to intensify.
The Nebraska Legislature has taken a significant step towards regulating nicotine and “nicotine-like” products by advancing Legislative Bill 9, which proposes a 20% wholesale excise tax on alternative nicotine products. The bill, introduced by State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, aims to define “alternative nicotine products” and “nicotine analogues” in state law, creating an “umbrella” approach to capture future products without requiring specific legislation for each new product.
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