59% of sampled stores in SA are selling illicit tobacco products.

Loading player...
GUEST - Johnny Moloto, Area Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs for BAT Sub-Saharan Africa.

New Ipsos research released today reveals that 59% of sampled stores in South Africa are selling illicit tobacco products, with prices as low as R5 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, intensifying the ongoing price war among illicit manufacturers.
The study also revealed there are new manufacturers in the market, fuelling intense competition at the bottom end of the market.
“The entrance of new players raises some serious concerns about Government’s commitment to address illicit trade. Nothing justifies licensing new manufacturers in a sector already ravaged by high levels of non-compliance without conducting proper due diligence” said Johnny Moloto, Area Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs for BAT Sub-Saharan Africa.
15 Jul 2024 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Surge in Fake Traffic Fine SMSes Prompts Warning from Fines SA.

GUEST: Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA A growing wave of fake traffic fine SMSes is leaving South African motorists anxious, out of pocket, and still liable for legitimate fines. Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA, unpacks the latest scam tactics being used by fraudsters who send urgent-looking messages claiming…
18 Dec 3PM 9 min

Crypto in 2025: The Year in Review.

GUEST: Christo de Wit, Country Manager at Luno As 2025 draws to a close, the cryptocurrency industry is no longer asking whether it belongs in mainstream finance, but how deeply it is already embedded. This year marked a decisive shift as digital assets moved from the fringes into the financial…
18 Dec 3PM 9 min

EKASINOMICS - How WASAA Is Reshaping South Africa’s Petrochemicals Sector

GUEST: Nokwanele Qonde – Founder & Managing Director, WASAA Group From LPG and logistics to chemicals, commodities and large-scale infrastructure, WASAA is quietly building one of South Africa’s most compelling black industrial success stories. In this conversation we unpack how a black-women owned petrochemicals company is driving growth through diversification…
17 Dec 2PM 26 min

Inflation Eases, But the Grocery Bill Tells a Different Story

GUEST: Johann Els – Old Mutual Group Chief Economist. South Africa’s inflation story is showing signs of relief but it’s not all good news for households. Headline consumer inflation slowed to 3.5% in November, its lowest reading in months, helped by falling fuel prices and a sharp drop in used…
17 Dec 2PM 27 min