[Letter to the Editor] Cheap smoke, costly consequences

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[Letter to the Editor]

By Dato’ Dr. P. Sundramoorthy

Illicit cigarettes have become an open secret in many Malaysian neighbourhoods. They are sold discreetly in small grocery shops, by informal street vendors, and even through social networks of smokers who resell to sustain their own habit.

Their appeal is obvious: they are significantly cheaper than legal cigarettes, largely due to high excise duties imposed as part of public health policy. Yet beneath this seemingly simple demand–supply dynamic lies a complex web of criminality, governance challenges and social normalisation that warrants closer criminological scrutiny.

At the heart of the issue is price disparity. Legal cigarettes in Malaysia are heavily taxed to discourage consumption, consistent with global tobacco control strategies. However, this creates a lucrative opportunity structure for illicit markets.

Many smokers particularly those in lower-income groups, make a calculated decision. It appears that perceived benefits of saving money outweigh the abstract risks of legal sanctions or health concerns. In this sense, illicit cigarette consumption is less about deviance in the moral sense and more about economic adaptation within constrained circumstances.

This demand fuels a well-organised supply chain. Contrary to the perception that illicit cigarettes are merely small-scale smuggling operations, the trade often involves transnational organised crime networks. These groups exploit porous borders, weak enforcement points and sophisticated distribution systems to flood the market.

Locally, the final layer of distribution is decentralised; small shop operators and individual sellers act as low-risk intermediaries. This fragmentation makes enforcement particularly difficult, as authorities must tackle not just a few large actors but a diffuse network embedded within everyday commerce.

A critical but often overlooked question concerns product quality and origin. Unlike regulated tobacco products, illicit cigarettes are manufactured in unknown facilities, often in jurisdictions with little or no oversight. Consumers typically have no knowledge of who produces these cigarettes, what standards, if any, are followed or what substances are actually contained within them.

This absence of transparency creates a significant information asymmetry, where buyers are effectively consuming a product of uncertain composition. There is a real possibility that such cigarettes contain higher levels of harmful chemicals, adulterants or contaminants that would never be permitted under legal manufacturing regimes.

In some documented cases globally, illicit cigarettes have been found to contain excessive tar and nicotine levels, as well as traces of heavy metals and other toxic impurities. From a criminological standpoint, this reflects a form of exploitative market behaviour, where profit is prioritised over consumer safety in an environment free from accountability.

Equally significant is the issue of corruption and regulatory failure. The persistent availability of illicit cigarettes in open markets raises legitimate concerns about enforcement integrity. While it would be simplistic to attribute the entire problem to corruption, criminological analysis suggests that where illicit markets thrive openly, there are often systemic gaps whether institutional weaknesses, selective enforcement or, in some cases, collusion.

The notion of “everyday corruption” becomes relevant here. Small, routine acts of neglect or informal accommodation that collectively enable a large-scale illegal economy to function with relative impunity.

The role of willing sellers also deserves attention. Many small retailers operate on thin profit margins. Illicit cigarettes offer higher mark-ups and steady demand, making them economically attractive. These sellers may not view themselves as criminals but as individuals navigating economic pressures.

Moreover, the social perception of selling illicit cigarettes is often relatively benign compared to other forms of crime. This normalisation of deviance reduces the stigma associated with participation, further entrenching the market.

Another dimension is consumer complicity. Unlike crimes with clear victims, the illicit cigarette trade is often seen as “victimless”. Smokers purchasing cheaper products may rationalise their behaviour by pointing to high taxes or cost-of-living pressures. However, this overlooks the broader societal impact.

The Malaysian government is estimated to lose billions of ringgit annually in unpaid taxes, revenue that could otherwise support healthcare, education and public infrastructure. In this sense, the harm is diffused across society, making it less visible but no less significant.

The illicit cigarette market persists because all three elements converge: motivated offenders (organised networks and local sellers), suitable targets (price-sensitive smokers), and the absence of capable guardians (effective enforcement and regulatory oversight). Disrupting this convergence requires a multi-pronged approach rather than reliance on punitive measures alone.

Policy responses must therefore be holistic and balanced. Over-reliance on taxation without addressing enforcement capacity can inadvertently expand the illicit market. Strengthening border controls, enhancing inter-agency coordination and leveraging technology for tracking and tracing tobacco products are essential steps. At the same time, anti-corruption measures within enforcement agencies must be robust and credible to restore public confidence.

Equally important is public awareness. Consumers need to understand that illicit cigarettes are not just cheaper alternatives but potentially more harmful products that contribute to a broader criminal economy. Social norms can shift when the narrative moves from individual savings to collective loss and risk.

Finally, there is a need to reconsider the broader policy environment. While tobacco control remains a legitimate public health goal, strategies must be calibrated to avoid unintended criminogenic effects. Excessive price gaps between legal and illegal products create fertile ground for black markets. A more nuanced approach—combining regulation, enforcement, and harm reduction—may prove more effective in the long term.

In conclusion, the illicit cigarette market in Malaysia is not merely a problem of law enforcement but a reflection of deeper socio-economic and institutional dynamics. It illustrates how well-intentioned policies can produce unintended consequences when they intersect with inequality, opportunity and weak governance.

Addressing it requires not only stricter laws but also smarter, more integrated strategies that acknowledge the complex realities on the ground. Thus, the next time you light your illicit cigarette, ask yourself: what exactly are you inhaling and who truly profits from your next puff?

Dato’ Dr. P. Sundramoorthy is a criminologist at the Centre for Policy Research of Universiti Sains Malaysia

This is the personal opinion of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of DayakDaily. Letters to the Editor may be lightly edited for clarity.

— DayakDaily