Selangor Proposes Vape Tax Revenue Be Channelled To States Local Authorities

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State exco Jamaliah Jamaluddin says this is to ensure the money is used for education and enforcement efforts.
Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin urged the health ministry to consider establishing a collaborative mechanism between the federal and state governments for vape control. (AFP pic)‎SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has proposed that part of the tax collected from the sale of vapes be channelled to all state governments and local authorities.
State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said this is important to ensure the revenue is used to manage and address the negative effects of vape sales, in addition to supporting more comprehensive enforcement actions and public education efforts at the grassroots level.
“For example, the state government and local authorities need sufficient resources to carry out integrated enforcement operations against premises selling vapes illegally, especially to teenagers and schoolchildren, as well as implement community advocacy and awareness programmes regarding the dangers of vape use.
“It can also be used to provide support to educational institutions, the community and local authorities in monitoring and preventing the sale of vapes in restricted areas, besides providing rehabilitation treatment for those addicted to nicotine, especially the youth,” Bernama reported her as saying today.
Jamaliah said without proper distribution of resources, enforcement efforts will only be focused at the central level, making comprehensive implementation difficult, especially in large states like Selangor.
She also urged the health ministry to consider establishing a collaborative mechanism between the federal and state governments for vape control, taking into account local needs and views.‎
“The state government believes that close cooperation between the federal and state governments and local authorities can help curb the sale and use of vapes more effectively,” she said.
Deputy health minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni had previously said his ministry planned to impose a tenfold hike in taxes on vape liquids from 40 sen to RM4 per millilitre.
He added that the proposal had been submitted to the finance ministry to align taxes for vape products with those of conventional tobacco products. - FMT

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