Some Malaysians are already keen on their health when ordering drinks at their local 24-hour food joint by making the request of ‘boss, kurang gula tau?’ when they order their beverages. But soon Malaysians may want to just cut out drinks with sugar in them out of their diet with the incoming Sugar tax.

The sugar tax adds an additional 40 cents per litre on sweetened beverages and will begin on July 1st, though it was initially planned for April 1st. Officially, it’s because manufacturers and the Customs Department needs more time to prepare. We like to think it’s mostly because they don’t want people to think it’s an April Fool’s joke.

The tax will affect soft drinks with more than five grams of sugar or sugar-based sweeteners per 100ml as well as vegetable-based drinks with more than 12g of sugar per 100ml.

Try saying no to this glass of orange juice.

We wonder if this could also have Nestlé bring their 'Milo UHT no sucrose' which is a version of their ready-to-drink product that has no-added sugar to Malaysia as well. The beverage type was created in response to the Thailand government’s public health policy to have their citizens cut back on sugar to promote good health and combat obesity. 

Anyone remember those Milo trucks that used to come to schools?

So, does the new sugar tax give you a reason to start going on a sugarless diet? Let us know!