Global organisations working to combat illicit trade say the scourge is out of control in South Africa, and unless the country makes an extra effort it will remain on Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) greylist.
An increasing number of South African smokers choose to buy cheaper illegal cigarettes as their purchasing power is on the decline due to ever-rising tax levies on legitimate products, contributing to high prices, according to Brig-Gen Juan Carlos Buitrago of the national police of Colombia.