Tobacco and alcohol companies want the Government to maintain excise duties

PETALING JAYA: Tobacco and alcohol players are keeping their fingers crossed that the Government will continue to maintain excise duties in the coming Budget 2013, fearing a negative impact on their sales if otherwise, due to consumers resorting to contraband products.

British Tobacco (M) Bhd (BAT) managing director William Toh said BAT was appreciative of the decision taken in the last budget to not increase the cigarette excise duty and hoped that the Government would consider the positive and encouraging impact of its decision last year.