More national trade associations have joined the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Association of Malaysia (FSGMAM) in supporting the introduction of the 10-stick cigarette pack, which they contend will curb the illegal cigarette trade and reduce consumption on the whole.

Besides FSGMAM, the associations in favour of the “kiddie” packs are the Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors General Association (MSCSPGA), the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) and the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), which collectively represent 40,000 individual retailers.

FSGMAM president Hong Chee Meng said the increased taxes and regulations on cigarettes introduced thus far have not been effective in curtailing smoking, but have instead resulted in smokers turning towards illegal cigarettes.

“We see packs with ugly pictures to frighten the smokers, we are not allowed to discount prices and we cannot sell below RM10. However, illegal cigarettes (do not have to) comply with any regulations,” he said.

MSCSPGA’s Ho Su Mong said that Customs enforcement on the illegal cigarette trade has not been sufficient and the government should find new ways of addressing the smoking problem.

“Every day, there are people, especially those who are in the middle and lower income groups, who buy illegal cigarettes because they do not have enough money to buy legal cigarettes,” Ho said.

Primas president T Muthusamy maintained that since cigarettes cannot be sold to those under 18, then there is no reason not to introduce the 10-stick cigarette packets, which differ from the current 20-stick packets available on the market.

“After 10 years we can see that the ban on small packs did not address youth smoking.

“If you look at it objectively, illegal cigarettes are the real ‘kiddie pack’ because these are so cheap and that is the main reason for youth to pick up smoking,” he said.

The associations recommended consultations with retailers to further discuss the introduction of 10-stick cigarette packets, but maintained that they would nevertheless support any measure taken by the government to curb the illegal cigarette trade.