31-07-2025
'Cancer tax' proposed for tobacco, vape, and alcohol under 13MP
PETALING JAYA: The pro-health taxes announced under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) should be branded as a 'cancer tax,' according to the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
'CAP congratulates the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) for announcing taxes on tobacco, vape, and alcohol products,' CAP education officer N.V Subbarow said in a statement on Thursday (July 31).
"We must call this a cancer tax,' he added.
Subbarow stated that these taxes will help curb the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and will discourage the younger generation from developing habits detrimental to health.
"CAP is happy with the prime minister's concern and his firmness on addressing health issues,' he added.
Anwar announced that pro-health taxes would be expanded from sugar to include products such as tobacco, vaping, and alcohol to curb the alarming increase in NCDs.
