PASIR MAS: The Pasir Mas district has been identified as the hottest spot for illegal cigarette trade in the country, according to the Confeder-ation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers (CMTM).Its chief executive officer, Shaik Abbas Ibrahim, said most of the cigarettes were smuggled into the country via river and sea routes.

“According to the international independent research company, Tylor Nelson Soffres, Pasir Mas is a hot spot for illegal cigarette trade,” he told reporters after delivering a talk in conjunc-tion with the Anti-Illegal Sales of Tobacco Products Camp-aign 2009 here yesterday.

He said the sale of illegal cigarettes could also affect the purchase of dried tobacco leaves by cigarette manufacturers. — Bernama