Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
british american tobacco south africalatest news & developments
Cheaper, untaxed cigarettes are disproportionately used by lower-income smokers, people with less formal education and heavier smokers — groups more vulnerable to both economic strain and health risks.
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO SOUTH AFRICA

More than half the cigarettes sold in South Africa are illegal, new research shows

Illicit cigarettes make up about 60% of South Africa’s market, according to research from the University of Cape Town, raising alarm over lost tax revenue and growing public…

  • Sheree Bega
3 min read
Cheaper, untaxed cigarettes are disproportionately used by lower-income smokers, people with less formal education and heavier smokers — groups more vulnerable to both economic strain and health risks.
AARON MOTSOALEDI

Big Tobacco tries to stop SA’s anti-smoking Bill from becoming law

The Bill says the same rules should apply to vaping and traditional cigarettes and that both should be sold in plain packaging and banned in all public spaces

  • Christina Pitt
8 min read
Tobacco farmers sort leaves of similar standard, to be sent to the Limpopo Tobacco Processors plant, where a price will be set. (Delwyn Verasamy)
BATSA

The farmers British American Tobacco left behind

BATSA has supported black tobacco farmers since 2011. So why are small-scale farmers in Limpopo upset with the tobacco industry?

  • Christina Pitt
12 min read
Corrupt practices? Former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe’s swearing-in ceremony in 2013. It is alleged that Brigadier General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi facilitated BAT’s proposal to pay a bribe to Mugabe shortly before his re-election. (Alexander Joe)
BAT

Council wants Hawks, SIU probe into BAT’s Zimbabwe scandal

The cigarette maker has been accused of giving up to $500 000 in bribes and spying on competitors

  • Khaya Koko
3 min read
Illicit: Tobacco farmers want the price of cigarettes to be fixed so that smokers know that if they are paying less than R28 for a box of 20, then the product is illegal. (Michael D Kock)
AFRICA CENTRE FOR TOBACCO INDUSTRY MONITORING AND POLICY RESEARCH

Tobacco farmers want the taxman to do more to control illegal cigarette trade

The Black Tobacco Farmers’ Association the introduction of a minimum price level for cigarettes

  • Tshegofatso Mathe
5 min read
BATSA

Tobacco industry calls Dlamini-Zuma’s bid to appeal ban a costly folly

The minister could spend the state’s money on fighting Covid-19 and cigarette cartels, tobacco manufacturers argue

  • Emsie Ferreira
4 min read
Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma applied for leave to appeal on 4 January, raising fears in the tobacco industry of a second ban as Covid-19 infections soared in the second wave of the pandemic.
ALFRED COCKERILL

Tobacco ban case set to continue on 15 February

In two weeks the co-operative governance minister will continue her fight against Batsa after the tobacco ban was found to be was unconstitutional

  • Emma Balfour
3 min read
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
BATSA

Batsa fires back in response to Dlamini-Zuma’s appeal

The tobacco company has counter-filed for leave to appeal December’s tobacco ruling, should the government’s application for leave to appeal be successful

  • Emma Balfour
3 min read
BATSA

Government appeals Covid-19 lockdown tobacco ban ruling

A fresh legal wrangle and jostling at the courts over the ban could run for much of the life span of the pandemic itself

  • Emma Balfour
8 min read