Economists: Expand sugar tax to more items

PETALING JAYA: While raising the ceiling price of sugar may reduce its consumption and promote healthy living, the government must also ensure that inflation is controlled, say economists. They suggested that the sugar tax be expanded to more items as a means to control consumption for health purposes and to grow tax revenue.

Referring to a government study on sugar prices, Sunway University Economics Professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the government needed to strike a balance between raising sugar prices to discourage excessive consumption for the sake of public health, and controlling inflation since sugar was an essential ingredient in many beverages and food items.