Growing Illicit cigarette market forces BAT SA to close manufacturing facility by year-end

British American Tobacco (BAT) South Africa has announced it will cease local production of factory-manufactured cigarettes and shut down its only South African manufacturing facility by the end of 2026, citing the devastating impact of the illicit cigarette trade. Johnny Moloto, Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at BAT Sub-Saharan Africa, unpacks where the industry believes policy and enforcement have fallen short.