Big tobacco calls for state action to end trade in illicit cigarettes

BIG tobacco industry players in South Africa believe the government can speed up transition towards less harmful products and effectively end trade in illicit cigarettes with better regulatory and policy attention to bad practices across the sector.

- TAWANDA KAROMBO

Tobacco cigarette manufacturers British American Tobacco South Africa (Batsa) and Polaris Manufacturing (formerly Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation) last week traded accusations of fuelling trade in illicit tobacco cigarettes through under-pricing and imports.

This comes despite the industry touting new tobacco products such as pouches and e-cigarettes as key in reducing the harm caused by combustion cigarettes.

The South African tobacco industry appears to be pulling in the same direction in demanding a conducive regulatory and policy framework, including favourable and separate taxation for new tobacco products.