The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering an increase the tax on tobacco heating products next fiscal year, the Japan Times said in an article citing a senior LDP tax expert.

Heat-not-burn sticks currently are taxed at a lower rate than cigarettes, and have gained popularity in part as a safer counterpart to smoking. Yoichi Miyazawa, head of the LDP tax panel, said a decision on increasing the levy must be made before the end of this year, the Japan Times said. The next fiscal year begins in April. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s LDP rules in coalition with the smaller Komeito party.