Coffee shop owners against cigarette licence

IPOH: The Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors' General Association is against the move to get coffee shop proprietors to obtain a licence to sell cigarettes at their premises as it will only add to their high operating costs in the present economic climate.
Its secretary-general Khoo Siang Pok said it will be a troublesome process to do so on online as required by the authorities and they will also need to employ more staff to update the business as new regulations will be imposed.
The association fears it will be subject to the ruling since the Kuantan coffee shop operators have received a letter from National Kenaf and Tobacco Board last June which compelled them to apply for the licence.
Speaking to reporters here today, he said although they have not received any directive on the matter they want the government to withdraw the ruling and instead look into the plight of especially the small businessmen.
He also said the business at coffee shops is now slow as consumers are cautious about their "cuppa" and operators are also facing a shortage of helpers.
Khoo said tobacco products are not in the list of control items and as such it is not appropriate for the government to impose such laws.
"The National Kenaf and Tobacco Board Act 2009 should be aimed at manufacturers to regulate the tobacco industry," he added.
Meanwhile, Perak Coffeeshop Proprietors Association chairman Ooi Beng Yeaw said 10% of the coffee shops in the state had wound up their business, while some 30% had been taken over by new management.