Budget 2019: 40 sen per litre sugar tax on sodas, juice drinks

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — A 40 sen tax per litre will be imposed on soft drinks with more than five grams of sugar or sugar-based sweetener per 100ml, starting April 1 next year.

This includes carbonated drinks, or flavoured and other non-alcoholic beverages.

For juice or vegetable-based drinks, a 40 sen tax per litre will be imposed on drinks with over 12g of sugar per 100ml.

Pakatan Harapan had previously touted the idea as part of efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng made the announcement when unveiling Budget 2019.