CAP calls for higher cigarette tax to curb smoking among youths

Last November, the finance ministry introduced a two sen per stick increase in cigarette tax, the first since September 2014. The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the ministry to consider further tax hikes to combat the increasing youth smoking trend, according to Bernama. Senior education officer NV Subbarow highlighted that a 2014 health ministry survey revealed 43,019 secondary students and 341 primary students had begun smoking.

Subbarow noted smokers spend almost RM700 monthly on cigarettes, which contain thousands of harmful chemicals. He argued that higher prices make tobacco less affordable, potentially reducing consumption and encouraging users to quit or decrease smoking. Lower prices also make it harder for teenagers to start smoking. Subbarow, an anti-smoking advocate, believes a sales tax increase is necessary, anticipating it would cut annual government spending on smoking-related diseases by around RM16 billion.

The World Health Organisation recommends price and tax measures as effective ways to curb tobacco use, a strategy that has shown positive results in other nations. The 2027 budget, expected to be presented by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who serves as finance minister, is slated for Oct 9.