STRONG WARNING AGAINST TRADERS OF ILLEGAL CIGARETTES

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has issued strong warning
against traders of illegal cigarettes without the ministry's warning, fake duty
stickers or sold below the minimum price of RM7. (US$1=RM3.16)

Deputy director-general (public health) Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman said offenders
would face action under Control of Tobacco Product Regulation 2004 with RM500
minimum compound or fine not more RM10,000 or jail not more two years' or both.

"The first ten months saw 45,592 premises checked, 8,861 compound issued worth
RM1.9mil, 5,333 court cases with seizures worth RM148,723.37," he told reporters
here Wednesday.

The ministry was committed in cracking down on illegal cigarettes as they did
not carry the names of manufacturers or importers and had high content of tar
and nicotine.

Dr Hasan said illegal cigarettes form 40 percent of the local market.

He added the tar and nicotine level was above the the ministry's limit and did
not dismiss presence of chemicals that could cause diseases including cancer.

The ministry was studying action against buyers, considering banning certain
brands, and asking local authorities to withdraw the traders' licence.

It also plans to put more security labels on cigarette packs with help from
Customs Department and Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

Public with information on the sale of illegal cigarettes should contact the
ministry's Infoline at 03-8883 4400. All information is confidential.
- BERNAMA



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