NEARLY eight out of every ten cigarettes consumed in Sarawak are illegal, placing the state at the highest level of illegal cigarette prevalence in Malaysia and raising serious concerns over community well-being and youth exposure.
Such is the revelation by Pertubuhan Transformasi Dayak (TRADA), a Sarawak-based advocacy group and NGO focused on empowering and transforming the Dayak community.
According to the latest Illicit Cigarette Study (ICS) by NielsenIQ , illegal cigarettes account for approximately 78.8% of total consumption in Sarawak and 77.3% in Sabah as compared with 54.4% nationwide.
Against such backdrop, TRADA wants the issue should top be viewed not solely through enforcement lenses but as a systemic consumer and market challenge.
“Sarawak’s mean household income currently stands at RM5,504. In rural areas, it is far lower,” argued TRADA’s president and founder Joseph Janting.
“When illegal cigarettes are sold for as little as RM3 to RM8 per pack, it’s not surprising that many adult smokers choose this cheaper option.”
Due to the cost pressures, these consumers often do not have the luxury of considering safety standards. They are left with little choice but to disregard the fact that illegal cigarettes are not subjected to proper laboratory testing or health safety verification.
‘Not short of enforcement
“When illegal markets thrive, the consequences extend well beyond the safety of users. There is also the risk of increased exposure among youth and the rise in criminal activity,” observed Joseph.
Nevertheless, he contended that enforcement in Sarawak has remained consistently strong to tackle the menaces of counterfeit cigarettes.
On Nov 17 last year, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department seized 8.33 million untaxed cigarette sticks and 190 litres of liquor in a single raid in Sibu with the total value including duties estimated at over RM6.3 mil.
Separate operations in Sarikei uncovered 6.77 million illegal cigarettes and nearly 90,000 litres of untaxed liquor, involving more than RM6 mil in duties and taxes.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has further intercepted a vessel off Lawas carrying hundreds of cartons of white cigarettes and liquor believed to be untaxed.
These cases demonstrate that illegal supply networks operate across land, port and maritime routes.
While TRADA acknowledges the on-going enforcement efforts by customs, police and maritime authorities, the continued dominance of illegal products in the market suggests that distribution channels remain resilient despite significant enforcement successes.
“When illegal cigarettes remain significantly cheaper and easily accessible, enforcement alone becomes reactive,” lamented Joseph.
“Supply networks adapt quickly and the illegal market persists. Clearly, we need new strategies that are more dynamic to address the root cause of the issue and finding long-term solutions rather than just temporary fixes.”
TRADA therefore calls for a comprehensive approach that not only supports enforcement but also tackles the underlying factors driving consumer choices. This includes exploring ways to reduce the attractiveness of illegal products in the market.
“A healthy market is one where products are legal, regulated and fairly priced. Bringing down the illegal cigarette rate is critical to rebuilding trust, protecting communities and ensuring fair competition,” added Joseph. – Focus Malaysia
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.