AS THE government considers raising tobacco taxes in Budget 2026, the Consumer Choice Centre has called for policymakers to adopt a more effective and science-based approach.
It said risk-based taxation, where nicotine products are taxed according to their level of health risk, offers a practical solution that supports public health while avoiding unintended consequences such as the growth of the black market or barriers to harm reduction.
According to its country associate Tarmizi Anuwar, while reducing non-communicable diseases is recommendable, a uniform tax on all tobacco and nicotine products may do more harm than good.
“We support the government’s health goals, but applying the same tax to cigarettes, vaping products, and other reduced-risk alternatives is counterproductive,” he reckoned.
“Taxation should reflect relative harm so smokers are encouraged to switch to safer products.”
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