In a statement, the company said the revised cigarette prices had been approved by the health ministry.
The new prices are:
- Dunhill – RM18.20 (RM17.70 currently)
- Benson & Hedges – RM18.40 (RM17.90)
- Peter Stuyvesant – RM16.70 (RM16.20)
- KYO – RM14.00 (RM13)
- Rothmans – RM12.90 (RM12.40)
- Luckies – RM12.40 (RM12)
BAT Malaysia managing director Nedal Salem said Putrajaya’s “moderate” excise hike was a step in the right direction since the last such increase was a decade ago.
“We note that significant increases in cigarette prices have historically contributed to the expansion of the tobacco black market, which currently accounts for 54% of total cigarette consumption in Malaysia.
“The illegal market poses a serious threat to public health objectives, safety and government revenue,” he said in a statement.
Nedal nonetheless lauded enforcement agencies for their efforts in tackling the tobacco black market, as well as the RM700 million allocated to boost enforcement.
“We fully support the government’s ongoing initiatives and enforcement actions to address this long-standing issue. We also encourage Malaysians to play their part by choosing legal products and reporting illegal cigarettes through the JomLapor website.”
On Nov 1, excise duties on cigarettes went up by two sen per stick, and by RM40 per kg for cigars, cheroots and cigarillos, as part of the government’s efforts to promote a healthier lifestyle.
Heated tobacco products also saw a RM20 increase per kg of tobacco content.
Putrajaya has also extended the import duty and sales tax exemption on nicotine replacement therapy products, including nicotine mist and nicotine lozenges, until Dec 31, 2027.