Read articles from Malaysia

December 02, 2020 by thesundaily.my

BUDGET 2021 is seen as the first step in a long process of correcting Malaysia’s previous approach to tackling illicit tobacco.

Illicit tobacco is a problem which has been plaguing Malaysia for a long time and forms a key part of the shadow economy.

The shadow economy, estimated to be 18.2% of Malaysia’s GDP – or approximately RM275 billion in value – needs to be addressed as the nation loses significant amounts of tax revenue.

November 06, 2020 by thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: All types of electronic and non-electronic cigarette devices, including the fluid, will be subjected to excise duties, says Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

He said an excise duty at an ad valorem rate of 10% would be imposed on all types of electronic cigarettes devices and non-electronic ones, including vape.

"Electronic cigarettes liquid too will be subjected to an excise duty at a rate of 40 sen per millimeter," he said during the tabling of the Budget 2021 in parliament on Friday (Nov 6).

November 04, 2020 by freemalaysiatoday.com

PETALING JAYA: A consumer group today called for increased taxes on cigarettes and urged the government not to bow to demands to lower taxes and mandated prices so as to counter cheaper, smuggled smokes in the market.

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) said the tobacco industry had called for the lowering of prices in claiming that 60% of the cigarettes smoked by five million Malaysians were smuggled, with 456 million sticks smuggled in the first half of this year.

August 19, 2020 by malaysiakini.com

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the government not to entertain any suggestion to reduce tobacco taxes.

The authorities must remember that Malaysia is a party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), ratifying it in 2005. As such Malaysia should abide by WHO FCTC Article 6, which requires the countries to “implement the simplest and most efficient system that meets their public health and fiscal needs”.

Taxing tobacco is the most effective way to discourage smoking. [...]

August 12, 2020 by freemalaysiatoday.com

There have been calls from certain quarters to reduce taxes on legal cigarettes in Malaysia. However, this unorthodox or paradoxical sounding measure does not seem to be a viable measure to resolve the country’s illegal cigarette trade or protect the people’s well-being.

To put things in perspective, there are two different tax structures for domestic and imported cigarettes in Malaysia. Excise tax per stick is levied on locally produced cigarettes sold in the country, while import duty is levied on imported cigarettes.

August 07, 2020 by thestar.com.my

A video depicting Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein vaping during Parliamentary proceedings is making its rounds on social media.

The video shows Hishammuddin sneaking a vape behind his face mask while his colleague, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, was speaking during Parliamentary proceedings. Hishammuddin, however, apologised on Twitter and promised not to vape during Parliament proceedings again.

"Sorry, I didn't realise – it's a new habit. I apologise to the Dewan and promise not to do it again," he tweeted.

August 04, 2020 by thesundaily.my

An overwhelming 97% of Malaysians want action to be taken against the tobacco black market.

A nationwide survey conducted by British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (BAT Malaysia) as part of its “Stop The Black Market” campaign also shows that 88% of Malaysians believe that the tobacco black market is impeding the nation’s Covid-19 economic recovery. According to the survey, Malaysians believe that reducing the price differential between legal and black market products (35%) and greater collaboration between law enforcement agencies (29%) are key in countering the tobacco black market.

January 08, 2020 by malaymail.com

With the New Year, comes the resolutions. And for my little project, it is to convince smokers to switch from cigarettes to either an electric cigarette, or a vape. Especially in these few months that the Ministry of Health is motivated to issue compounds to smokers.

Personally, I don’t see it lasting till after February. Hopefully they will prove me wrong.

Coming from a family of five smokers being myself and my brothers with a father having retired from smoking after swearing to do so in Mecca (yes, some do take it seriously), there is a need to shift towards less harmful alternatives.

October 22, 2019 by theedgemalaysia.com

The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) has urged the special committee set up by the Ministry of Health to study control measures from the United Kingdom (UK) on nicotine vape industry.

In a statement yesterday, MVCC said UK authorities have implemented controlled measures on the industry that have shown success in reducing the number of smokers in the country by encouraging the use of vape while putting in place appropriate regulations that prevent abuse of vape products.

MVCC president Syed Azaudin Syed Ahmad said it cannot be ignored that vaping has been proven to be safer than cigarettes.

October 21, 2019 by theaseanpost.com

E-cigarettes and vaping devices (EVC) have dominated the public and academic debate on tobacco control since its introduction into the market. Now, Malaysia is looking to introduce stricter regulations on the sale and use of EVC, placing it together with tobacco products under a single law that would prohibit promotions and advertising, usage in public areas and use by minors. There is a rising uptake of EVC among Malaysia’s youth. Due to this, the Health Ministry there is not discounting a total ban on the products. “Everything is currently in the planning stage. [...]