Malaysia - sets minimum price for cigarettes..

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October 12, 2010 - Effective last Oct 1, a ruling on cigarette price was enforced by the Health Ministry where cigarettes sold should not be less than 35 sen per stick or RM7 (2.25 USD) for a packet of 20 sticks. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the move proved the government's commitment to reduce the consumers affordability to purchase cigarettes, especially children.

Cigarettes have been confirmed to be the cause of various health problems and serious illnesses leading to death. The young generation is advised not to start the habit of smoking because it is hazardous to health," he said in a statement here today. He said the move in imposing the price requirement was a follow-up of the government's announcement on the tax increase of 3 sen per stick for cigarettes, which also took effect last Oct 1.

Following the increase, the price of cigarettes has gone up to RM10 (3.23 USD) for a packet of 20 sticks yesterday, from RM9.30 (3.01 USD) previously - currency: 1.00 MYR = 0.32 USD, 100 sen = 1.00 MYR, the symbol for MYR can be RM.

Liow said that under the new ruling, all cigarette manufacturers and importers were required were required to apply for approval of the new retail price of their respective cigarettes before this Friday (Oct 8). He said there were also required to display the minimum price of their cigarettes clearly at all cigarette counters, but without any logo or brand which could link it to cigarettes. Those who failed to abide by the ruling could be fined up to RM10,000 (3,220.61 USD) or jailed for up to two years or both, he added.

Liow said that for those who wanted to quit the smoking habit, they could go to the government Quit Smoking Clinics for help. Based on statistics, there are about three million cigarette smokers or about 11 percent of the country''s population, he added.

Reference: MINIMUM PRICE OF CIGARETTES SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 30 SEN PER STICK, Bernama, 10/6/2010.

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