Teaching Pack: Tobacco Tax and Health Financing in the Philippines

This instructor’s note is part of a teaching pack on a case study, “‘Sin Taxes’ and Health Financing in the Philippines,” that explores the connections between health, economics, and politics. It provides an overview of the case and case-based pedagogical method, learning objectives, and a list of required materials to teach the lesson. Other materials in the teaching pack include a discussion guide, annotated bibliography, and glossary of terms.

This annotated bibliography is a selective sampling of educational resources to introduce students to tobacco taxes and health financing. The bibliography is part of a teaching pack on a case study, “‘Sin Taxes’ and Health Financing in the Philippines,” that explores the connections between health, economics, and politics. Other materials in the teaching pack include an instructor's note, discussion guide and a glossary.

This case traces the implementation of tobacco tax policy and health system reforms in the Philippines from 2009 to 2015, in the context of the global tobacco control movement, the economic and political influence of the Philippine tobacco industry, and the Philippine health system. After providing background on the prevalence and costs of smoking in the Philippines, the case follows the steps taken by a diverse group of actors to design, promote, and implement higher…