Khairy gives five stars to levy nicotine-based products in e-cigarettes

SHAH ALAM - Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin applauds Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's budget proposal to levy excise duty on nicotine-based products used in electronic cigarettes.

In an Instagram post earlier, Khairy uploaded a news article on the premier's announcement in the re-tabling of the Budget 2023 today.

The former Rembau member of parliament also gave the news story five stars, indicating his support for the move.

Earlier today, the premier said the government will impose an excise duty on liquid or gel products containing nicotine, with half the revenue to be allocated to the Health Ministry.

Nicotine vape liquids are still illegally sold, with an estimated RM2 billion in sales, Anwar said.

He also said the government would channel half of the excise duties to the Health Ministry in a move to support the Generational Endgame (GEG) bill.

"It would be nice if it was regulated and taxed to discourage vaping," he said.

""The government supports the GED effort and has agreed that half of the revenue from this excise duty will be allocated to the Health Ministry as an effort to improve the quality of health services," he added.