THE Selangor state government is looking into the possibility of tightening action against premises repeatedly found selling smuggled cigarettes, including measures involving business licences.
According to recent media reports, Selangor Local Government and Tourism executive councillor Datuk Ng Suee Lim has reportedly said any tougher measures would need to take into account existing legal provisions and the outcome of reviews by the relevant authorities.
As such, the state government is continuously assessing more effective approaches to curb the sale of smuggled cigarettes, particularly involving premises found to be repeat offenders.
The issue has come under renewed attention following a survey by think tank Wawasanex which found that nearly two-thirds of Malaysians or 63.8% of respondents admitted to purchasing smuggled cigarettes over the past 12 months.
The study, involving 603 respondents across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak also found that access to smuggled cigarettes has become increasingly easy, particularly through daily grocery stores with the majority of buyers reporting that the products were obtained from foreign sellers.
The findings further showed that low prices and easy availability were among the key reasons consumers opted for illicit cigarettes. Some respondents also claimed that such illegal products were the only option available in certain areas.
In a related development, an earlier study by market research firm Nielsen in January reported that more than half of cigarettes sold in Malaysia were illicit, resulting in an estimated RM2 bil in lost tax revenue annually.
While enforcement against smuggling falls primarily under the jurisdiction of federal agencies such as the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the Royal Malaysia Police, the state government does not take the issue lightly, according to Ng.
The state government is considering tougher penalties, including the revocation of business licenses, for repeat offenders caught selling smuggled cigarettes.
However, the matter is subject to legal provisions and reviews by the authorities, according to state executive… pic.twitter.com/jyJ5gSqUN1
— MediaSelangorEN (@MediaSelangorEn) May 27, 2026
On this note, the Selangor state government will continue strengthening monitoring efforts and cooperation with relevant agencies to curb the sale of smuggled cigarettes, including through periodic inspections, targeted operations on business premises as well as seizures and compounds in accordance with legal provisions. – May 29, 2026
