Friday 27 May 2011

WHY FUEL, WHY NOT SIN TAX?



Malaysia ranked world’s 10th largest consumer of alcohol

By CHRISTINA TAN
chris@thestar.com.my

Statistics by the international body this year also showed that Malaysians spent over US$500mil (RM1.5bil) on alcohol with a per capita consumption of seven litres.
Beer consumption in Malaysia is 11 litres per capita.Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Heng Seai Kie said the problem of alcohol consumption in the country was getting serious.
“Alcohol is not only causing a lot of health issues but is also contributing to a significant number of accidents,” she said here yesterday. - TheStar
** There is so much hype following the release of the above statistics on alcohol consumption in Malaysia and as usual some bankrupt politicians are harping on this issue to attack the Government. 

NEXT

Tobacco-Related Cancers Fact Sheet

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2010)
  • Lung cancer is the most preventable form of cancer death in our society. (Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2010)
  • Lung cancer estimates for 2010 (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2010):
  • New cases of lung cancer: 222,520
    Males: 116,750
    Females: 105,770
  • Deaths from lung cancer: 157,300
    Males: 86,220
    Females: 71,080
  • Besides lung cancer, tobacco use also causes increased risk for cancers of the mouth, lips, nasal cavity (nose) and sinuses, larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine cervix, and acute myeloid leukemia. (Source: Cancer Facts & Figures 2010)

Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the main causes of cancer deaths in Malaysia. In fact, 95 per cent of lung cancer patients die within five years of diagnosis. A whopping 90 per cent of lung cancer is caused by cigarette smoking. The occurrence of lung cancer is also high among non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke (passive smoking).


Its a well established fact that both alcohol (except for medical) and tobacco is bad for the health. Indeed tobacco is among the top killers (via cancer) in the world.


Unlike RON95 PETROL, DIESEL and LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG), alcohol and tobacco have no real benefit to the people as consumer/food items.


So, my humble suggestion is... WHY NOT the Government stop scaring the people with impending fuel price hikes and turn your sight on these two killer items amid us.


WHY can't the Government of Malaysia consider increasing its Government TAX on Alcohol and Tobacco ... say double the current rate to make up for the Government subsidy for fuel?


Some religious bigots would come into the picture even before understanding this suggestion in totality.


The revenue from these hiked SIN TAXES could be channelled, not to some PAS run political-religious indoctrination camps in Kelantan, but to fund our defense expenditure (runs into hundreds of millions, if not billions of ringgit lately).


WHY NOT the SIN TAX? 



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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Because alchohol and tobacco usage is primarly confined to self-abuse. Dia mau mati sendiri, biar aje la.

Fuel consumption on the other hand kills the world. May not happen in our generation, but for our children, they will see the effect of our stupidity.

And I thought you a smart fellow... geeez

vinnan said...

Increase the tax on alcohol and tobacco and the smuggling syndicates will make more money. Tax fuel and increase electricity rates because Malaysians have no alternatives when it comes to the basic necessities.
Why not step up anti-smuggling measures some may sday? The Customs department is 99% Melayu and UMNO appointed. Any more questions? Most importantly Najis squeezes the rakyat so as to create projects to make Mamakthir and his Perkasa bastards happy.

Anonymous said...

here's a link that debunks The Star's 'report'...was wondering how come we consume so much alcohol when 50-60% of us don't even drink...

http://news.malaysia.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4874922

Anonymous said...

"10th largest".....

I think may be 6Th largest....they divided that by total pop, where as a majority of muslim donot drink....

How about 'sin tax' to subsidize 'fuel'....

by, fellow sinner

Apanama said...

note: Just ignore IDIOTS who post their moronic-verses here. (we'll still publish their comments coz we uphold freedom of expression to a certain level)

Anonymous said...

SIN taxes should be paid to Allah ... but fuel subsidy cut goes to UMNO. It's all a fair game.

Anonymous said...

You are an idiot apanama. Live with it or go crying to UMNO.

Anonymous said...

i m wondering if some of the rich and the medium rich people are not paying taxes. May be the income tax personnel should start with door- to- door knocking on big houses which seemed to belong to the super rich just to verify if they pay taxes or not.