‘Regulate first, tax later’

Appealing to the youngsters: Vape and electronic cigarettes are new-generation smoking products being marketed by the tobacco companies as young people are not inclined to consume conventional cigarettes. — AZMAN GHANi/The Star

PETALING JAYA: With Budget 2023 proposing a tax on nicotine-based products used in electronic cigarettes, questions of regulation, enforcement and direction have arisen.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s Department of Pharmacy Practice Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed said ideally, the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, or Generational Endgame (GEG) Bill, should have preceded the tax measure.