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PETALING JAYA: British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (BAT Malaysia) today released the results of its second national survey, conducted as part of the company’s Stop The Black Market campaign.
Key survey findings include:
• 67% of Malaysians believe that the black market, of which illegal tobacco is an important component, is at crisis levels, seriously affecting the Malaysian economy;
• 66% believe that the government urgently needs to recover the 5,000 million ringgit lost annually on the black market for tobacco;
• A large majority of Malaysians (64%) believe that the high price of products, including cigarettes, is a key factor driving people to the black market;
• three quarters of all respondents (75%) support the Malaysian government in introducing measures to stop the black market in the 2021 budget; and
• Eight out of 10 (79%) Malaysians agree that greater enforcement is required, in terms of increased border security and better control of imported and exported goods.
“From the survey results and feedback we have received, Malaysians are calling for urgent action to lower the price of some products, to help stop the black market,” BAT Malaysia CEO Jonathan Reed said today. .
“This is likely due to concerns they have about job security and income stability amid the current Covid-19 crisis.
“Any effort made by the government to plug the leak and recoup lost revenue in the next 2021 budget would be supported by the Malaysians.
“This can only be achieved through a comprehensive approach, with the government using all the tools at its disposal,” Reed added.
The nationwide survey was commissioned by BAT Malaysia in August 2020 and consisted of an online survey of around 2,000 Malaysian adults.
For more information on British American Tobacco Malaysia’s Stop the Black Market, visit https://stoptheblackmarket.com.my or https://www.facebook.com/stoptheblackmarket.
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