The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) is planning to expand the implementation of pro-health taxes to curb the use of products that have a negative impact on society, including vape.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the move is in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the public health system and reduce the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.
He explained that, in addition to cigarettes, the use of vape and nicotine-based products is now becoming more widespread, especially among young people, hence the additional tax is seen as able to curb this trend.
According to him, the revenue from the tax will be reused to fund public health programs, including disease prevention, health education and related treatment.
Dr Dzulkefly stressed that the pro-health tax is not only intended to increase government revenue, but also as a control mechanism to protect the people's health in the long term.
