From: The Star (Malaysia)
by Andy Chua
SIBU: The days of easy access to contraband cigarettes at eating outlets here is almost over now following incessant raids by the authority concern on such items.
Sibu Coffeeshop and Restaurant Owners Association chairman Tong Ing Kok when contacted yesterday said eating outlets here, which included coffeeshops and restaurants, had decided to stop selling illegal cigarettes as they could not afford to pay for the offence.
“The profit margin of selling illegal cigarettes is there but not much as compared with selling the approved one with customs duty paid. With such low profit, it is not even enough to pay for the fine, if they are caught,” he added.
Not only that, he said, operators of eating outlets had also been informed that smuggled cigarettes were also detrimental to the health of the smokers.
“It has been revealed that smuggled cigarettes contain five times more toxics than legal one. Not only that, selling smuggled cigarettes is an offence under the law,” he added.
