LETTERS: I am writing in response to the report, “The contraband crisis: 12 billion illicit cigarettes to be consumed this year” (NST, Nov 21).
It stated that the government would face an estimated loss of RM6 billion in tax revenue.
It also reported that Malaysia had the highest number of illegal cigarettes, beating Brazil and Ecuador.
Raising cigarette taxes from RM10 to RM15 per pack may be the reason that smokers are turning to illicit cigarettes.
Hardcore smokers are addicts who need their daily cigarette fix.
They will not pay RM11.50 for a pack of cigarettes when they can have cheaper alternatives at less than half the price.
These cigarettes are easily available and smokers will certainly not report a store or a person who sells them these illicit cigarettes.
The government’s reason for raising cigarette taxes should not be condemned as smoking is a major health problem.
According to the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), smoking contributed to 20,000 deaths every year.
It is the government’s responsibility to implement new regulations to safeguard our health.
However, the government should look for alternatives to prevent Malaysians from smoking instead of merely resorting to raising taxes on cigarettes.
Consumption of illicit cigarettes will continue to rise. It is a basic law of supply and demand.
To reduce the number of smokers, the government needs to implement stricter regulations on smokers and the retailers.
Tobacco company Japan Tobacco International has attempted to address the issue by setting up a special task force to tackle the problem effectively.
I think this is a good way to solve the problem.
The task force needs to conduct a thorough investigation to expose the culprits behind the illegal import and production of illicit cigarettes into the country.
Campaigns should also be carried out more aggressively, such as by imposing stringent fines on smokers who buy illicit cigarettes.
NUZUL HARISYAH HAMID
SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times