Sweet Surprise: Sugar Tax For Beverages Set To Take Effect This July

Usually, when the government announces a new tax, we would get really angry because our wallets are empty enough already.

But this new tax, we could get behind.

The implementation of the new sugar tax on beverages is set to take place on 1 July, according to The New Straits Times.

Initially, the tax was supposed to take effect on 1 April, but Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri Subromaniam Tholasy said they've decided to postpone the implementation so that the Department and soft drinks manufacturers have ample time to make the necessary preparations.

The extra three months would also allow the Customs Department to conduct roadshows to educate the public about this new tax, Subromaniam told the daily.

Under this new ruling -- which was announced by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng at the 2019 Budget reading last year -- a 40 sen-per-litre tax will be imposed on soft drinks with more than five grams of sugar or sugar-based sweetener per 100ml.

This includes carbonated drinks and flavoured, non-alcoholic drinks.

A 40 sen-per-litre tax will also be imposed on juice or vegetable-based drinks with more than 12g of sugar per 100ml.

Basically, what that means is, you have to pay more if you want to stuff yourself with sugar.

What do you guys think of this new tax? Do you think its necessary? Sound off in the comment section below.