On Dec 1, Singapore Customs officers seized nine cartons, 12 packets and 38 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes. One man, aged 32, was arrested, while seven men, aged between 30 and 45, were fined for possessing contraband.
What does “38 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes” refer to? Are they different from cigarettes?
Thanks.
A stick is a synomym for cigarette here.
On 1 December, Singapore Customs officers seized nine cartons, 12 packets and 38 sticks of untaxed cigarettes. One man, aged 32, was arrested, while seven men aged between 30 and 45 were fined for possession of contraband.
In AmE you’d probably say “nine cartons, 12 packs and 38 individual cigarettes.”
The word “individual” is there simply to clarify it since you’re also talking about cartons and packs. Normally you’d just say “He had 38 cigarettes.”