Amid government efforts against the hazards of smoking, the local tobacco industry remains optimistic that crop production could reach 80 million kilos crop year 2011-2012.
Tobacco output in leaf terms is seen to reach 77 million kilos valued at P5 billion.
This represents a 4.3-percent increase from 73.75 million kilos, and a 4.1-percent jump from the P4.84 billion recorded in the previous crop year.
"We cannot deny that the Philippines is a signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that provides for a gradual elimination of tobacco because of health concerns," said administrator Edgardo Zaragoza of the National Tobacco Administration, during the agency's 24th anniversary late Tuesday.
"It is ironic because despite regulation in the US and Europe, it appears there is still growing demand for tobacco," Zaragoza added.
Despite an oversupply of tobacco and tobacco products in the world market, Zaragoza said demand for Philippine tobacco continues to increase because of its high quality.
Around 40 percent of the country's tobacco output is sold to the export market, he added.
In the past eight years, the value of tobacco has increased by 20 percent on average, government data show.
In crop year 2009-2010 alone, production totaled 73.75 million kilos, valued at P4.846 billion from about P4.024 billion a year earlier.
Zaragoza said the agency will continue to uphold the welfare of the 50,000 tobacco farmers, as well as the more than 600,000 individuals who benefit from the industry.
Tobacco farmers contribute as much as P34 billion in taxes, while traders and manufacturers make up about 4 percent of the total collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, according to Zaragoza.
Anti-smoking drive
Philip Morris corporate lawyer Raul Academia, meanwhile, slammed government's anti-smoking drive in the nation's capital, saying people should be left to make a choice on whether or not to smoke.
This month, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implemented in full its no-smoking policy across the National Capital Region.
Academia said that when there is a designation of absolutely smoke-free public areas, authorities should also put up smoking zones.
The MMDA said it will also put up smoking areas along EDSA, even suggesting turning the pink urinals into smoking areas, a proposal criticized by various sectors.
Some companies, such as Starbucks Philippines, have turned their al-fresco smoking areas into no smoking zones, in response to the MMDA's campaign. — With JM Tuazon/VS
