Checks by FMT around the area found that children who are believed to be 12 years old or younger were not only selling illicit cigarettes but smoking them too, in full view of the public.

They were found standing by the roadside while giving two-fingered hand gestures, mimicking holding a cigarette, to vehicles passing by.

Whenever a vehicle stops at the side of the road, the group would scramble to sell prospective customers the illicit tobacco, at between RM3 to RM5 per pack of 20 sticks. The normal retail price for the same is at least RM17.

Meanwhile, other individuals, who looked to be in their teens or older, were also seen trying to sell the illicit cigarettes on the sidewalk outside some shops.

A vendor, who only wanted to be known as Wan, said these children and youths would start making their rounds selling the cigarettes from as early as 6am and some continue late into the night.

“There were a few times that the authorities conducted operations in the area causing them to run away, but once the operation was over, they reappear.

“It feels like that there is no way to resolve this issue” he told FMT, adding that this was also an old issue.

Meanwhile, a local resident who just wanted to be known as Albert, said the presence of the illicit cigarette dealers were a hazard to road users.

“I was once driving through the area when suddenly a child crossed in front of my car to go to some customers who had stopped across the road.

“It seems like they’re not afraid to die or they feel they’re invincible. Some people say these children and youths are migrants, but there are also others who say they have ICs (MyKad),” he said.

He also called for the authorities to step up enforcement and increase efforts to combat this issue of children getting involved in an illegal trade.

FMT is trying to get a response from the Kota Kinabalu City Hall on the matter.