Review of sin taxes should be considered


I BELIEVE that taxes on cigarettes are high enough and do not need to be further increased in the next budget because they will make the illicit trade on tobacco products grow bigger and cause more loss of government revenue due to smuggling activities.

With every increase in import tax and excise duty on cigarettes, the profit incentive for smuggling becomes more attractive. Profits would be big enough for the crime syndicates to pay off all the enforcement units at the various border points and still make them rich. They are so rich that they can even buy titles from the federal and state awards.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Letters

Implement standards to improve access to digital space�
What the new education plan means for our children
Public speaking� a core skill for leaders
Follow Sarawak’s lead on free school transport, Putrajaya told
Let’s get kids to start the new school term with joy
Raising thinkers in the age of smart machines
Justice on paper, trauma in practice
Raising standards is easy, but closing gaps is hard
Artificial intelligence, the Fermi level, and human value
Industrial interns deserve safety too

Others Also Read