Malaysia: did the tobacco industry collaborate with media to defeat tax increase?

• Main Author: Nik Mohamed, Mohamad Haniki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2021
• Subjects: H96 Public policy (General), Policy sciences
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/88072/2/Malaysia_%20did%20the%20tobacco%20industry%20collaborate%20with%20media%20to%20defeat%20tax%20increase_%20_%20Blog%20-%20Tobacco%20Control.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/88072/; https://blogs.bmj.com/tc/2021/01/26/malaysia-did-the-tobacco-industry-collaborate-with-media-to-defeat-tax-increase/

It has been five years since Malaysia last had a tobacco tax increase. The 2021 budget, announced in November 2020, was an opportunity to correct this shortcoming and use one of the most cost-effective measures available to governments to reduce smoking. Instead, tobacco taxes remained static for the sixth year. The decision came in the wake of sustained media coverage which was remarkably favourable for the tobacco industry and its arguments opposing tax increases. In addition to aligning with tobacco industry framing, there was a distinct lack of public health voices in the extensive media coverage, as well as evidence of possible editorial interference to delay publication of advocacy in favour of the increase. Taken together, these issues raise questions about potential collaboration between the tobacco industry and media in Malaysia.