The Excise Department is considering higher taxes based on the amount of perceived harmful active ingredients in goods such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and sugar products.
Director-general Pongpanu Svetarundra said the department already collected excise tax on tobacco and alcoholic beverages based on the imported price or volume per unit, whichever is higher. However, considering sugar in the same category would be a first.
``In many developed countries, excise tax on ingredients such as sugar in beverages is nothing new. Excess sugar consumption in those countries has brought about childhood obesity,'' he said.
Mr Pongpanu feels authorities have a duty to keep an eye on goods that can be considered harmful to health.
Tax changes could hurt local manufacturers of high-proof liquor.
``Thai white spirit producers, some of the best sellers in the country, such as liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi would pay a higher tax than imports because of the higher proof,'' he said.
One possible solution is to take both the degree of alcohol and the price of the goods into account.
Currently the department collects excise taxes of 60% on beer, 50% on white spirits and 85% on tobacco.
