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LABUAN: As the deadline on tax-free tobacco nears, cigarettes here have been snapped up like hot cakes over the past weeks, leaving shelves in retail outlets almost empty except for some obscure brands.

“Cigarette sales had never been so robust in the past since there were no outside visitors due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions. Sales picked up lately as it seems some smokers are fearing a drastic hike in prices after the tax-free cigarette status deadline ends at the end of this month,” said R Gani, the owner of a mini market.