THE Consumers’ Association of Penang is shocked that Langkawi MP Haji Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah has urged the government to allow the sale of duty-free cigarettes.

It is myopic of him to push this idea because smoking is a known contributor to premature deaths and the cause of many non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pregnancy complications.

Smoking kills more than 28,000 Malaysians annually.

Tobacco use also imposes a heavy economic burden on society and the government through increased healthcare costs as well as human productivity losses (such as medical leave, hospitalisation, or death).

In 2012, Malaysia incurred RM15.8 billion in economic costs for tobacco-related diseases, equivalent to 1.7% of our GDP for that year.

It would have been more beneficial to the people if that sum had been spent on education or public transport development.

Duty-free cigarettes have not been sold in Langkawi since April 1, 2021. If Suhaimi thinks that it is duty-free cigarettes that draw tourists to the island, he is grossly mistaken.

Not only is the re-introduction of duty-free cigarettes a bad idea, it is simply penny wise and pound foolish. – March 10, 2023.

* Mohideen Abdul Kader is president of the Consumers Association of Penang.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.