KUALA LUMPUR: The retail price for all cigarette brands will be increased in three weeks time, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced yesterday. He said the prices of tobacco products including cigarettes had to be increased due to an increase in taxes under Regulation 8A of the Tobacco Revenue Control Regulations 2004.
“The recent implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) will cause the prices for all types of tobacco products including cigarettes, to be increased,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
On the smoking ban in the Parliament building, Dr Dzulkefly said eight compound notices were issued including to a Member of Parliament since Monday’s enforcement. The action was taken following the declaration of smoking corners and eating places in the Parliament building as smoke-free zones effective Monday. In the meantime, Dr Dzulkefly also announced the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages to those aged 21 and below, effective yesterday.
He said all those who sold alcoholic drinks were also required to display the cautionary warning ‘Drinking Alcohol Can Endanger Health’ at stores where they sell these beverages. He said all alcoholic beverages for sale would also have to be placed in different cabinets or racks away from the other items on sale.
The minister added failure to comply with any alcohol-related regulation was an offence and if convicted, one could be fined not more than RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years.
The same rules must also be complied with by the organisers of the Oktoberfest, he stressed. Commenting on the new standard of compounded hard liquor (CHL), he said it was established to control the safety and quality of the products and provide accurate information to consumers.
“The new standard stating that these drinks will only be allowed to be sold in glass bottles with a minimum volume of 700ml and no longer in small bottles that could then be can be placed in student pockets and consumed by minors,” he said. -Bernama
