KUALA LUMPUR: (The Star/ANN) - Malaysia has become the largest consumer of illegal cigarettes in the world, with over 12 billion sticks sold last year, according to a study by research house Nielson and the Confederation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers. Moreover, it was revealed that Malaysian enforcement authorities had managed to stop more than 450 million cigarette sticks from entering the country between January and June 2020 alone, compared to the over 230 million sticks confiscated over the same period the previous year. Macam Yes: How To Create A 5* Spa Experience At Home, Prakash Daniel Leaks His Best Pick-Up Line | After Hours S1:E6, Official CMCO SOP As Of 21 December (In English), Official CMCO SOP As Of 18 December (In English), Sexual Innuendo Billboard In Selayang Taken Down After Netizen Complaint. This is … KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 — Over six of 10 cigarettes sold last year in Malaysia were illegal, according to a research study by Nielsen that was commissioned by tobacco companies. Malaysia No.1 in the world for illegal cigarettes, says study | Free … Sicpa is a Swiss-based security ink, authentication traceability solutions provider, which operates in Malaysia through Sicpa Product Security Sdn Bhd. The company commended Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz's maiden Budget speech and called these measures "the first step to disrupting the supply of illegal cigarettes in … All Rights Reserved. However, these cheap cigarettes do pose more danger to the country than we may have realized. The number has since increased to about RM5.3 billion in 2019. According to an international consumer advocacy group, the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), over 60% of Malaysia’s 5 million smokers are regularly consuming illegal cigarettes. BAT Malaysia has shared statistics regarding the socio-economic effects of black market cigarettes on the campaign’s site, and encourage Malaysians to share their thoughts about it. Illicit cigarettes, however, can be sold at a lower price and can have fewer than 20 sticks in each pack. — Reuters pic. This statistic shows the results of a survey conducted by Cint on the brands of This includes: As of 2018, about 75% of the illegal cigarettes sold in Malaysia are smuggled whites. More attention needs to be drawn to the severity of the issue and Malaysians should have an avenue to voice their concerns, hence why BAT Malaysia is coming to the forefront with this campaign. thestar.com.my "Illegal cigarettes are sold in Sabah, Sarawak and West Malaysia and the government is unable to collect tax revenue from the illegal cigarettes," he said. “There are international and local studies that support this (claim),” he said in a statement today. Malaysia: Big Tobacco Says That Cigarette Tax Will Boost Illegal … How Is Covid-19 Affecting Everyday Malaysians? During the parliamentary session today (16 December) while debating the Customs (Amendment) Act 2020, he said that 64% of cigarettes sold in Malaysia were illegal while only 36% were taxed and legal cigarettes, which has caused a loss of RM5 … Macam Yes: How To Create A 5* Spa Experience At Home, Prakash Daniel Leaks His Best Pick-Up Line | After Hours S1:E6, JTI Malaysia: Price & Weak Enforcement Are The Drivers Of The Local Illegal Cigarette Trade, Finance Ministry To Introduce Ways To Disincentivise Malaysia’s Shadow Economy, A Black Bus Was Seen Around KL Landmarks With A Very Important Message, Most M’sians Think That High Cigarette Prices Is The Reason Why The Tobacco Black Market Is Thriving, The Economics Of The Illicit Tobacco Trade In Malaysia, Illicit Cigarettes Study In Malaysia 2019, Cheap, Illegal Cigarettes Drives Underage Smoking, Smuggled whites, cigarettes that were produced legally in other countries for the purpose of being smuggled into the country; and. Understanding this, British American Tobacco Malaysia (BAT) launched Stop The Black Market, a nationwide campaign aimed at creating awareness about the illicit cigarette trade and encouraging Malaysians to have discussions about it. Smuggled kretek, tobacco and clove cigarettes that were smuggled into the country. At the end of the day, reducing the demand for illegal cigarettes by way of tax reforms will also help reduce the sole burden on enforcement in addressing the tobacco black market. JTI Malaysia, a member of the Japan Tobacco Group, said the … Because of this high upkeep, it’s no surprise that most Malaysian smokers are turning to cheap, illegally smuggled cigarettes to fulfill their cravings. A recent study conducted by Oxford Economics and commissioned by British American Tobacco (BAT) revealed that in 2018 about 60% of Malaysia’s cigarette market was made up of illegal products. 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