BAT Malaysia to raise cigarette prices from Nov 21

KUALA LUMPUR: British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (BAT Malaysia) has announced an adjustment in the prices of its cigarette products following the increase in excise duties under Malaysia’s Budget 2026.

In a statement, BAT Malaysia said the revised prices, which have been approved by the Ministry of Health, will take effect from Friday, Nov 21, 2025.

The new pricing for BAT Malaysia’s cigarette brands will range from RM12.40 to RM18.40 per pack, depending on the brand and variant.

Managing director Nedal Salem believes that the government is taking a step in the right direction by announcing a moderate excise increase, noting that the last excise adjustment was made 10 years ago, particularly in the context of the current economic environment.

“We note that significant increases in cigarette prices have historically contributed to the expansion of the tobacco black market, which currently accounts for 54% of total cigarette consumption in Malaysia. The illegal market poses a serious threat to public health objectives, safety and government revenue.

“Throughout 2025, the enforcement agencies have done a tremendous job in tackling the tobacco black market, with the Prime Minister announcing that these efforts have saved RM15.5bil over the past two years. In addition, the recent allocation of RM700mil to enhance enforcement is highly encouraging and demonstrates the positive impact of their efforts.

“We fully support the Government’s ongoing initiatives and enforcement actions to address this long-standing issue,” Salem said.