Malaysia, already one of southeast Asia's leading economies, is aiming to become a developed country by 2020, and with expected economic growth at 4.6 per cent in 2012, has the potential to become an increasingly significant market for tobacco products. However, due largely to sharp tax increases on tobacco products over recent years, the industry has suffered badly from a dramatic increase in smuggling. While there are some signs the problem may be easing it remains a priority for the Malaysian tobacco sector. Smoking prevalence among the adult population in Malaysia in 2012 was 21.1 per cent, down from 21.3 per cent in 2007, according to a recent report on the tobacco market in Malaysia by market research firm Euromonitor. There is also a huge gender gap in demand. Euro-monitor said that 40.2 per cent of males, and 1.7 per cent of females were smokers in 2012, compared with 40.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively in 2007.
展开▼
