煙草在線據《商業鏡報》報道編譯　　菲律賓國家煙草管理局（NTA）計劃在進口煙草產品于該國市場銷售之前，征收額外的費用。

　　這一計劃出現在《2013年003號備忘錄通函》草案當中，非政府組織“經濟改革行動”（AER）有一份該草案的副本。

　　“部分規定要求對進口煙草產品的銷售商和分銷商征收許可費用，最低100比索，最高則與之前征收的許可費用相同，為600比索，”經濟改革行動組織表示。

　　“此外，《備忘錄》還要額外征收評估費用，而這一評估機制，對進口卷煙來說，已經是多余的，”該組織補充道。

　　經濟改革行動組織表示，國家煙草管理局宣稱，計劃實施的政策將會阻止進口卷煙產品的走私、造假和非法貿易行為，“在適當的監督、監測和管理下，保護公共消費者和吸煙者。”

　　“然而，事實卻與此相反，我們認為，上述提案不可告人的目的，只是為了延續歧視性的制度，以使得國內卷煙生產商獲益，”經濟改革行動組織說道。

　　該組織表示，征收評估費用，并對進口卷煙實行“多余的”評估監測程序，并不會制止煙草產品的走私。

　　該組織警告道，這一舉措具有“歧視性”，將會違反菲律賓的國際貿易規則，特別是禁止利用國內收費或征稅以惠及國內相關行業的《海關貿易總協定》。

　　“我們向國家煙草管理局提出質疑，要求他們證明意圖抑制非法卷煙貿易的這一規定的合法性，并證明此舉并非僅僅是利用《2013年003號備忘錄通函》的規定，延續對國外產品的歧視，”該組織表示。

　　從“煙草控制的角度”，該組織敦促農業部的附屬相關機構重新修訂備忘錄，并將計劃實施的措施覆蓋到所有卷煙產品。

　　經濟改革行動組織表示，對進口卷煙和國產卷煙征收相同的評估和管理費用，才能降低煙草產品的銷量，并使公眾漸漸遠離它們。

Philippines: NTA Eyes More Fees for Imported Tobacco Products

　　The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is proposing to impose additional fees before allowing the sale and distribution of imported tobacco products in the country.

　　This is contained in the draft Memorandum Circular 003 Series of 2013, a copy of which was obtained by non-governmental Action for Economic Reforms (AER).

　　"As part of the requirements, sellers and distributors of imported tobacco products will be levied a license fee that amounts from P100 to P600 on top of the license fee previously levied," AER said.

　　"In addition, the said memorandum imposes additional evaluation fees for what is already a redundant inspection mechanism on imported cigarette products," the group added.

　　AER said the NTA claims that the proposed policy will prevent smuggling, counterfeiting and illicit trading of imported tobacco products "through proper supervision, monitoring and regulation in order to protect the consumer/smoking public."

　　"On the contrary, however, we contend that the ulterior objective for the said proposal is only to perpetuate a discriminatory system that favors domestic cigarette producers," AER said.

　　The group said raising the evaluation fee and imposing "redundant" evaluation procedures on imported cigarettes will not stop the smuggling of tobacco products.

　　The group also warned that the move is "discriminatory" and will violate the country's commitment to international trade rules, specifically the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade which prohibits the use of internal fees or taxes to favor the domestic industry.

　　"We challenge the NTA to prove the legitimacy of its intention to curb illicit cigarette trade, and not merely perpetuate discrimination against foreign product through the proposed measures under Memorandum 003-2013," AER said.

　　From a "tobacco-control perspective," the group urged the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture to revise the memo and apply the proposed measures to all cigarettes.

　　AER said uniformly imposing higher evaluation and regulatory fees on both foreign-made and domestically produced cigarettes will discourage the sale of tobacco products and make them less accessible to the public. Enditem