From June 1 it has begun to feel like public health might be starting to win out in the battle against tobacco in Beijing. The Beijing smoke-free law now makes it illegal to light up in workplaces, restaurants, hotels and other public spaces across the city. But the battle against tobacco is far from over. Tobacco products still kill thousands of Chinese people every day.

There is a way to combat this, though: tobacco tax. Quite simply, a big enough tax increase could save millions of lives in the next decade.

Tobacco use significantly contributes to a fast growing epidemic in China: non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, cancer and chronic pulmonary diseases. These conditions are now the leading causes of premature death, ill health and disability in China, accounting for more than 80 percent of total annual deaths. If tobacco use is not significantly reduced, it will aggravate the economic and social impact of an aging population, increasing the odds of a future economic slowdown, which in turn will pose a significant social challenge.

Experience from many other countries shows that not only is tobacco tax an effective means to reduce tobacco consumption and associated healthcare costs, it can also provide significant revenue which can be reinvested into other priorities.

The Philippines is a great example of how tobacco taxes are "win-win". The 2012 Philippines "Sin Tax" Law has raised and simplified tobacco and alcohol excises, increased government revenues and reduced smoking. Retail prices of cigarettes increased significantly, with early data suggesting a decline in smoking prevalence.

Despite the decline in volume, revenue still increased - nearly doubling the Philippines' Department of Health's budget. This enabled fully subsidized health insurance to be provided to the poorest 40 percent of the population - 14 million families, or approximately 45 million people.

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