From: The Star Online (Malaysia)
WHEN smokers who are keen to save money light up smuggled or counterfeit cigarettes, they may be unwittingly helping to fund international organised crime syndicates and terrorists.
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Furthermore, the illegal cigarette trade undermines public health initiatives to curb tobacco consumption because it makes tobacco very accessible at extremely low prices.
Unlike legal cigarettes which are manufactured and sold in compliance with strict Government regulations, such as depicting graphic health warnings on the packets, abiding by the Minimum Cigarette Price at retail and complying with maximum tar and nicotine levels, illegal cigarettes blatantly disregard such regulations.
NORFARAH SYAFIRA MOHD SABRI
