Malaysian tobacco firms urge enforcement

Source from:  tr.itsmyiq.com Aug 25, 2008 08/26/2008

Tobacco companies are urging the Malaysian government to crack down on the illicit cigarette trade, reports The Star. Currently, one in every four cigarettes bought in Malaysia is illegal. "Whichever way the industry goes, nothing much changes without a full-scale enforcement," IIwoo Chong, director of Philip Morris Malaysia was quoted as saying. "We hope that with increased enforcement, stricter penalties and a moderate and gradual tax increase, the illegal cigarette menace can be addressed," said Jack Bowles, managing director of British American Tobacco Malaysia. Cigarette companies are appealing for gradual annual increases to fight the rise in illicit trade. They have experienced sharp declines in their sales and that also means lower tax revenue for the government. Enditem