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Having been with her husband for nearly 50 years, Wendy (not her real name), knows he spends quite a bit on cigarettes. “Probably thousands,” she told Daily Express when asked to guess how much her husband has spent on cigarettes in the past 30 years.

Her husband of 46 years smokes a pack of 20 cigarettes every two days. As far back as 2013, a single pack cost over RM12. By 2015, prices rose to RM17, and these days, a pack can cost RM17.70.

Even at a conservative average price of RM16 per pack between 2013 and 2025, taking into account the cost of travelling and lighters, Wendy’s husband would have easily spent RM34,560.

“That’s enough to buy a car,” said a shocked Wendy when told the figure. “That’s a lot, but he smokes when he works and provides for the family. Sure, it’s a waste of money, but in my husband’s case, he can afford it, so I don’t mind.”

While Wendy’s family can bear the costs of smoking, for many Malaysian households, the financial burden is far more challenging, especially when coupled with broader issues like health costs and illicit trade.

The Financial Burden of Smoking in Malaysia

In fact, a 2016 study by the National Cancer Institute in collaboration with the World Health Organization found that in most countries, poor people were more likely to smoke than rich people.

“Tobacco use exacerbates poverty by diverting the limited resources of poor households away from basic needs such as food and shelter, health care, and education,” read an excerpt from the study “The Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Control.”

“The opportunity costs of tobacco use are greatest for the poor because they have the most difficulty meeting basic household needs.”

This is something Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia economist Professor Emeritus Dr. Barjoyai Bardai agrees with.

“As cigarette prices rise, so does the cost of smoking and the portion of a smoker’s salary that goes towards that,” he told Daily Express, adding that spending on cigarettes, especially for those in the lower-income group, could perpetuate poverty.

A cigarette can cost RM0.85 a stick, and the average Malaysian, according to the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Malaysia, smokes 13 cigarettes per day.

This translates to RM11.13 a day or RM334.05 a month.

“If you’re a smoker who earns RM3,000 a month, that’s more than 10% of your monthly salary.”

Barjoyai said this was not even taking into account costs related to health issues stemming from smoking.

Illicit Trade: A Silent Burden

The societal costs of smoking extend far beyond personal finances. The widespread availability of illicit cigarettes in Malaysia exacerbates the problem.

According to global insights shared at the 2022 Munich Security Conference (MSC), illicit trade—including counterfeit tobacco products—costs the global economy billions each year. Criminal organizations smuggle these products across borders, funding illegal activities and perpetuating cycles of poverty and corruption.

Rodney Van Dooren, Regional Expert on Illicit Trade at Philip Morris International (PMI), emphasized the transnational nature of illicit trade and the importance of close collaboration among ASEAN nations to combat it effectively.

He noted, “Local law enforcement in the Philippines is making significant progress in shutting down illicit tobacco operations, but constant vigilance is required as new threats continue to emerge.

Trade data and news articles indicate that most non-compliant cigarettes in the Philippines originate from ASEAN countries and India, while non-compliant e-cigarettes primarily come from China.”

Impact on Health, Productivity, and Society

At a macro level, Barjoyai said the cigarette breaks, which were normalized in the workplace in Malaysia, affected productivity.

“Now we have more regulations restricting where people can smoke, so smokers face more pressure to go further to smoke, meaning they spend more time doing so.”

Smoking behaviors, while present across all demographics, often intersect with broader socioeconomic factors. In some communities, where awareness about the health and financial implications of smoking might be lower, smoking may become more socially accepted or normalized.

This normalization can create environments where peer influence plays a significant role in perpetuating smoking behaviors, especially among younger generations.

“Children who grow up in homes where smoking is common are more likely to start smoking themselves, creating a cycle of smoking behaviors that may persist across generations,” explained an expert.

This cycle is further complicated by challenges such as limited access to cessation programs and the availability of cheaper, illicit cigarettes. These factors make it harder for individuals to quit and contribute to sustained smoking rates in affected areas.

Breaking the Cycle

The financial and health costs of smoking not only affect individuals but also ripple through families and communities. Smoking-related health issues can reduce an individual’s ability to work, leading to lower earnings and even job loss.

For families, spending on tobacco often diverts resources from essential needs such as education, nutrition, and healthcare. This can limit opportunities for upward mobility and impact the well-being of future generations.

The availability of illicit cigarettes further complicates efforts to reduce smoking rates. Cheaper prices make them more accessible, particularly in communities where financial constraints are more pressing.

At the same time, limited access to smoking cessation programs and harm-reduction alternatives can make quitting more challenging for those who want to stop.

Experts stress that addressing smoking requires a multifaceted approach. Public education campaigns must be coupled with greater enforcement against the illicit tobacco trade and the introduction of accessible cessation programs.

Collaborative efforts between public and private sectors, like those championed at the Munich Security Conference through initiatives such as PMI IMPACT, highlight the importance of shared responsibility in combating the broader issue of smoking and illicit trade.

With sustained collaboration and targeted interventions, it’s possible to break the cycle of smoking and alleviate its economic and social burdens on Malaysian families.