According to a survey by Merdeka Center, commissioned by Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCSPGA), over 80 percent of Malaysians were concerned about the negative impacts of the proposed plain packaging for cigarettes.
While 81 per cent of its respondents believe that plain packaging will make it easier for illegal cigarette smugglers to produce fake packs, about 88 per cent said that plain packaging will see smokers head to the blackmarket where contraband cigarettes could be easily purchased, usually at a cheaper price.
About 78 per cent of the respondents believe that youths would also have easier access to cheap illegal cigarettes, with the plain packaging in place.
A total of 1,212 Malaysians aged 18 and above from various races were interviewed for the survey.
In a statement, MSCSGPA President Ho Su Mong also noted that almost half of the cigarettes consumed in Malaysia today originated from the blackmarket.
“Illegal cigarettes are costing retailers over RM500 million in lost income every year.
“It’s already very difficult for our members and with the significant increase in illegal cigarettes, the situation is worsening and we have serious concerns for the future of retailers.”
Ho added that while the association understood and respected the government’s objective to reduce smoking, it was better for Putrajaya to focus on controlling the widespread of illegal cigarettes, instead of introducing regulations that will exacerbate the problem.
“Malaysia has a unique and worrying situation with illegal cigarettes and while other countries may be considering measures such as plain packaging, Malaysia needs solutions that make sense for our country and the challenges we are facing today,” Ho said.
The plan to introduce plain packaging was first announced by the Health Ministry’s director for the disease control division Dr Chong Chee Keong in February.
Chong said there were plans to introduce the plain packaging using standardised colours and fonts, although no specific date was set to implement the policy.
In 2012, Australia became the first nation to mandate plain packaging for cigarettes, in a bid to reduce smoking rates among its population.
Other nations that adopted the move later were France and Britain, much to the unhappiness of big tobacco firms, such as Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International.