After a more than 10-year stagnant tobacco tax rate, Malaysia’s cigarette excise duties went up by only 2 sen per stick in Budget 2026. We explore the discrepancies between our tobacco taxes and the national health expenditure to treat smoking- and vaping-related diseases, and what should be a meaningful rate of tobacco tax to change smoking behaviours.


Image credit: Shutterstock

After a more than 10-year stagnant tobacco tax rate, Malaysia’s cigarette excise duties went up by only 2 sen per stick in Budget 2026. We explore the discrepancies between our tobacco taxes and the national health expenditure to treat smoking- and vaping-related diseases, and what should be a meaningful rate of tobacco tax to change smoking behaviours. Image credit: Shutterstock

Wander and be enlightened by the endlessly fascinating inner universe that is the human body. We speak with experts, Nobel laureates, cancer survivors and healthcare workers who share their unique perspectives on wellness and living and the latest medical research.

Health & Living

Public Health: Malaysia’s Cigarette And Vape Tax Story

Since 1996, Hospice Klang has been providing free palliative care to patients, caregivers and families in the community in Klang. We speak to its chairperson, Dr Sheriza Izwa Binti Zainuddin, who’s a senior consultant for palliative care in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, to find out more about how Hospice Klang started and how its changed the lives of patients and families in need of palliative and hospice care. To support Hospice Klang’s 30th anniversary charity fundraising dinner, visit the website, Facebook or Instagram pages.

Image Credit: Hospice Klang 

Since 1996, Hospice Klang has been providing free palliative care to patients, caregivers and families in the community in Klang. We speak to its chairperson, Dr Sheriza Izwa Binti Zainuddin, who’s a senior consultant for palliative care in Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, to find out more about how Hospice Klang started and how its changed the lives of patients and families in need of palliative and hospice care. To support Hospice Klang’s 30th anniversary charity fundraising dinner, visit the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hospiceklang.org/">website</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Pertubuhan-Hospis-Klang-61566716017939/">Facebook</a> or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/pertubuhanhospisklang/">Instagram</a> pages.Image Credit: Hospice Klang

Hospice Klang’s 30 Years Of Community Care

From figuring out what’s causing a rare condition in a child to helping that child thrive into adulthood, the profession of a paediatrician and clinical geneticist can be pretty challenging. We speak to Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, who was Malaysia’s first board-certified clinical geneticist back in the 1990s, about his career as a clinical geneticist, why it shouldn’t be a paediatric subspecialty, and how the profession has evolved over the years. 

Image Credit: Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong

From figuring out what’s causing a rare condition in a child to helping that child thrive into adulthood, the profession of a paediatrician and clinical geneticist can be pretty challenging. We speak to Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, who was Malaysia’s first board-certified clinical geneticist back in the 1990s, about his career as a clinical geneticist, why it shouldn’t be a paediatric subspecialty, and how the profession has evolved over the years. Image Credit: Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong

Humans of Healthcare: The Paediatrician & Clinical Geneticist 

The worsening haze has caused a 250% surge in asthma cases in recent weeks. The link between poor air quality and respiratory diseases is clear, but people with asthma and COPD should not wait for the haze to trigger a serious episode before taking preventive action. Consultant respiratory physician Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is here with reminders about how to keep asthma under control, especially during the prolonged El Niño season.

Image Credit: EPA Images

The worsening haze has caused a 250% surge in asthma cases in recent weeks. The link between poor air quality and respiratory diseases is clear, but people with asthma and COPD should not wait for the haze to trigger a serious episode before taking preventive action. Consultant respiratory physician Dr Helmy Haja Mydin is here with reminders about how to keep asthma under control, especially during the prolonged El Niño season.Image Credit: EPA Images

Public Health: Malaysia’s Cigarette And Vape Tax Story

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