Manila, Feb. 4 -- A bill seeking to rationalize excise tax rates on tobacco and vape products to curb revenue losses from illicit trade hurdled final reading at the House of Representatives.

During the plenary session Monday night, lawmakers voted 190-4 to pass on third reading House Bill 11360, which seeks to amend the National Internal Revenue Code to impose structured tax hikes on tobacco products.

Under the bill, excise tax rates will increase by 2 percent every even-numbered year starting Jan. 1, 2026, and by 4 percent every odd-numbered year from Jan. 1, 2027, until Dec. 31, 2035.

Heated tobacco products will be taxed at PHP41 per pack, while cigarettes and vape products will carry a PHP66.15 levy per pack.

The Department of Fin...