Myanmar turns down tax rise proposal

Myanmar’s Union Parliament has rejected a private member’s bill proposing a 200 percent tax increase on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, according to an Eleven story.

MEPs voted instead to maintain the current “vice tax” rates, which amount to 100 percent on cigarettes and 50 percent on other tobacco products and alcohol.

In submitting her proposal, National League for Democracy MP Khin San Hlaing said the number of drinkers was on the rise in Myanmar, resulting in more crimes and alcohol-related health problems. Tobacco usage, she added, increased health care costs.

“If we want to reduce the local consumption of such products, we need to impose more taxes on them. If we want more consumption, we should decrease the tax,” she said.

“[Tobacco products and alcoholic drinks] are very dangerous for future generations of the country. We should impose more tax on them as an effort to put a stop to consumption. I propose that we increase the tax to 200 percent for the sake of the national interest.”