A NEW nationwide survey has shown overwhelming public support for Malaysia to take a regional leadership role in tackling illicit tobacco and reforming excise taxes in a more predictable and systematic way.

The findings of the survey, conducted by the Merdeka Center and commissioned by the public affairs and media agency Aroca Group, noted that illicit trade of tobacco products was a national and regional concern.

Som: 70% of Malaysians surveyed said they were concerned about the high levels of illicit tobacco trade, with 72% calling on the government to factor this into tax policy decisions.

As ASEAN chair, 72% of the 1,210 Malaysians surveyed agreed Malaysia should prioritise excise tax reform and cross-border enforcement efforts to combat smuggling and black-market activity.

The survey also showed a growing consensus around two other key points: support for moderate and predictable tax increases as well as that tax revenue should support public services.

The survey noted that two-thirds of Malaysians (66%) support raising cigarette taxes.

In addition, 65% of respondents believed that these increases should be implemented in a moderate and predictable manner.

“There are some clear messages in this survey: Malaysians overwhelmingly support a smarter approach to tobacco tax policy: one that addresses crime, supports public health, and provides economic predictability,” Merdeka Center programmes director Ibrahim Suffian said in a statement.

He said that as the Asean chair, there was clear support from the public for Malaysia to use the ‘golden opportunity’ to lead the way. –TMR