The House of Representatives working committee has agreed with a government proposal that excise duty on tobacco products be capped at a maximum of 57 per cent.

The new excise bill will be brought before a special committee in the House this week before being enacted.
Under the current excise law, excise duty on tobacco is capped at 55 per cent of the retail price, while the actual rate is currently charged at 40 per cent. By comparison, Thailand imposes a maximum excise duty of 79 per cent on tobacco, while Singapore imposes a duty of 85 per cent.