{
  "id": 17209373,
  "title": "Coffee shop association urges crackdown on illicit cigarettes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/coffee-shop-association-urges-crackdown-on-illicit-cigarettes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T09:57:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/10/1567066/coffee-shop-association-urges-crackdown-illicit-cigarettes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association (MSCSPGA) has called for stricter enforcement measures against retailers selling illicit cigarettes, arguing that such trade is putting legitimate coffee shop operators at a competitive disadvantage. The association cited a survey conducted in May, which showed that 68.8% of illicit cigarette buyers identified migrant workers as the main sellers, and 99% said illicit cigarettes were easy or very easy to obtain. MSCSPGA president Wong Teu Hoon emphasized that their members are running their businesses by the rules and paying taxes, but cannot compete with the low prices offered by illicit sellers. The association welcomed Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh's directive for Kuala Lumpur City Hall to revoke and blacklist business licences held by Malaysians who sublet their premises to foreigners, and urged local councils nationwide to adopt similar measures. They also welcomed the government's RM1.1 billion allocation under the 2027 Budget to strengthen enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for sustained enforcement rather than one-off raids.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}