Pia wants 'alcopops' pulled out of store shelves 'It is unethical & illegal to market them to children'

Senator Pia S. Cayetano has called the attention of distributors and sellers of flavored alcoholic drinks called "alcopops" for using unethical and illegal marketing schemes to entice young Filipinos to buy their products.

Alcopops are flavored alcoholic beverages, a variety of which is packed in colorful foil pouches similar to juice beverages.

"I was very bothered when I found out about it. It's packaged in a very colorful packaging that is very attractive to kids," Cayetano stressed during the Senate Ways and Means Committee's organizational meeting on Thursday (August 15).

During the hearing, the Department of Finance (DOF) presented an overview of the remaining tax packages under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), among which is the proposed increase in the excise tax on alcohol products.

"I accepted the chairmanship of the Committee on Ways and Means precisely to be able to see through the delivery of public services that I've always dedicated my time and energy [to]," said Cayetano, who chairs the panel.

The senator particularly expressed concern over the increasing consumption of alcopops among Filipinos. DOF figures show that Filipinos spent P69 million for alcopops in 2018, more than twice higher than the P30 million consumed in 2017.

A particular brand of alcopops is currently being sold at P25 per 200 ml pack and has an alcohol content of 7 percent. Under the current tax rates, its total excise tax is only P1.30 per pack. The DOF is proposing to increase its tax rate to P8.00 per pack.

Cayetano for her part decried the easy access of young children to the alcoholic drinks, which are being sold alongside regular non-alcoholic drinks in groceries and even online. Apart from this, the colorful packaging also makes it appealing to minors.

As such, the senator called for the products to be pulled out of store counters and for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the packaging, distribution, and sale of such alcoholic mix beverages.

"We're trying to sell a product that has 7 percent alcohol and is packaged to make it very attractive to children. It is unethical and unlawful," she said.

"Nananawagan ako sa mga matitino at maaayos na businessmen. Siguro naman sa sarili niyong anak, hindi niyo ipapainom 'yan," she further stressed.

The senator, who earlier fought for the passage of the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012, noted that a similar issue was raised in the Senate about how the marketing schemes of certain tobacco companies enticed the youth to try cigarettes.