George town: The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) hopes the government will consider introducing a higher sales tax on cigarettes in the upcoming Budget 2026 as part of efforts to curb smoking and promote public health.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, CAP education officer N.V. Subbarow said it has been several years since cigarettes were last subject to sales tax, with the most recent imposition in 2018 on tobacco products. Subbarow highlighted that smokers spend about RM500 every month, and CAP expects a mandatory sales tax on cigarettes in Budget 2026 if the government wants to reduce the current number of five million smokers.

Subbarow explained that higher prices make tobacco products less affordable, which reduces overall consumption and encourages users to quit or reduce their smoking. Additionally, it makes it harder for young people to start smoking, significantly reducing the initiation and uptake of tobacco use. He further stated that additional revenue from tobacco taxation could support health initiatives, including programs to help Malaysians quit smoking.

Citing international findings, Subbarow mentioned that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has found sufficient evidence that tax increases, which raise cigarette prices, reduce tobacco use, prevalence, initiation, and overall consumption. He also noted that the World Health Organisation recommends price and tax measures as effective ways to reduce tobacco use, a policy found to have positive impacts in many countries.

Subbarow expressed confidence that the caring MADANI government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will announce healthy news on the cigarette tax in Budget 2026. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is scheduled to table the Budget 2026 in Parliament tomorrow.