South Africa’s fight against cigarette trafficking took a significant turn on Monday after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government announced that it will start destroying 20 million illicit cigarettes allegedly smuggled into the country through its border with Zimbabwe.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) said that the contraband of 20 million cigarettes, valued at more than $2.3 million, and smuggled into the country between February and May this year, will be destroyed.&nbsp;

"The destruction of the illicit and smuggled cigarettes (at Beitbridge border post) is likely to last a few days," it said in a statement.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tobacco-companies-asked-to-foot-the-bill-for-cleaning-up-cigarette-butts-in-spain-549410">Tobacco companies asked to foot the bill for cleaning up cigarette butts in Spain</a>

The cigarettes were seized over several operations, it said.&nbsp;

"Illicit trade robs the government of much-needed revenue and destroys industries, exacerbating unemployment, poverty and inequality," the revenue authority said.&nbsp;

In January, one of the country's largest tobacco producers, British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA), said that it had been forced to cut around a third of its workforce since 2020 as a result of the "ballooning illicit tobacco trade".&nbsp;

BATSA estimated that "illicit cigarette trade accounts for up to 70 per cent of South Africa's total cigarette market".&nbsp;

<h2>South Africa’s illicit cigarette trafficking boom</h2>

South Africa banned tobacco at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, following which the country reported a booming illicit market of cigarette trade, according to BATSA.&nbsp;

South Africa imposed one of the world's toughest lockdowns in March, including a ban on sales of alcohol and cigarettes.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;World of Africa: Transforming lives through tobacco farming

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Elite police unit known as the Hawks last month arrested a driver for smuggling more than 500 cartons of illicit cigarettes, found being transported in a gas tanker truck on its way to the centre of the&nbsp;town of Potchefstroom.&nbsp;

In May, another burst in a town Bronkhorstspruit, near Pretoria, cigarettes valued at over a million dollars, were smuggled by masquerading&nbsp;them as tea leaves.&nbsp;The Beitbridge border crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe&nbsp;is one of the busiest on the continent but is also one of the most porous.

(With inputs from agencies)

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South Africa’s fight against cigarette trafficking took a significant turn on Monday after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government announced that it will start destroying 20 million illicit cigarettes allegedly smuggled into the country through its border with Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s fight against cigarette trafficking took a significant turn on Monday after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government announced that it will start destroying 20 million illicit cigarettes allegedly smuggled into the country through its border with Zimbabwe. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) said that the contraband of 20 million cigarettes, valued at more than $2.3 million, and smuggled into the country between February and May this year, will be destroyed. "The destruction of the illicit and smuggled cigarettes (at Beitbridge border post) is likely to last a few days," it said in a statement. Also read | Tobacco companies asked to foot the bill for cleaning up cigarette butts in Spain The cigarettes were seized over several operations, it said. "Illicit trade robs the government of much-needed revenue and destroys industries, exacerbating unemployment, poverty and inequality," the revenue authority said. In January, one of the country's largest tobacco producers, British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA), said that it had been forced to cut around a third of its workforce since 2020 as a result of the "ballooning illicit tobacco trade". BATSA estimated that "illicit cigarette trade accounts for up to 70 per cent of South Africa's total cigarette market". South Africa’s illicit cigarette trafficking boom South Africa banned tobacco at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, following which the country reported a booming illicit market of cigarette trade, according to BATSA. South Africa imposed one of the world's toughest lockdowns in March, including a ban on sales of alcohol and cigarettes. Also watch | World of Africa: Transforming lives through tobacco farming × Elite police unit known as the Hawks last month arrested a driver for smuggling more than 500 cartons of illicit cigarettes, found being transported in a gas tanker truck on its way to the centre of the town of Potchefstroom. In May, another burst in a town Bronkhorstspruit, near Pretoria, cigarettes valued at over a million dollars, were smuggled by masquerading them as tea leaves. The Beitbridge border crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe is one of the busiest on the continent but is also one of the most porous. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Millions of cigarettes to become ash in South Africa's war against smuggling

South Africa is still struggling to control the spread of novel coronavirus, however, the strict lockdown restrictions are eased to resume the economic activities.&nbsp;

But, smokers were given no respite as South Africa is the only nation in the world to ban sale on all tobacco products. The government has imposed the ban in late March to protect citizens health during the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-begins-continents-pilot-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-308365">South Africa begins continent's pilot coronavirus vaccine trial</a>

Interestingly, selling of alcohol has restarted, which is leading to an increase in traffic incidents and brawls, reported AP.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-south-africa-announces-seven-coronavirus-cases-307776">Cricket South Africa announces seven coronavirus cases</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-south-africa-announces-seven-coronavirus-cases-307776">&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;</a>

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people to quit smoking during the pandemic and said that smoking is linked to higher infections and death from COVID-19 of patients who are hospitalised.&nbsp;

The challenge for South Africa, however, is that a ban has caused a jump in the illegal sale of cigarettes.&nbsp;

Some experts say that after a ban on tobacco sales, cigarettes have become the most sought after illicit drug in the country, generating money higher than cocaine and heroin.&nbsp;

Cigarettes stashed in grocery bags are pushed across the counter at corner shops. Young men flash packs in streets and a signal to them is good enough for a purchase.

The sellers are taking full advantage of this ban and a pack of 20 cigarettes can cost upto $11 that used to be $1.70 pre-lockdown.&nbsp;

VIP service also exists in which one has to contact the illicit seller via phone. The service will deliver 200 cigarettes to your home for $350 and the cost of these cigarettes is normally nearly $20.

People who support this ban argue that some smokers quit or cut down their habits during the lockdown. However, a survey of over 12,000 smokers by the University of Cape Town found out that more than 90 per cent of people purchased cigarettes illegally during the lockdown.

South Africa is still struggling to control the spread of novel coronavirus, however, the strict lockdown restrictions are eased to resume the economic activities.

South Africa is still struggling to control the spread of novel coronavirus, however, the strict lockdown restrictions are eased to resume the economic activities. But, smokers were given no respite as South Africa is the only nation in the world to ban sale on all tobacco products. The government has imposed the ban in late March to protect citizens health during the coronavirus pandemic. Also read | South Africa begins continent's pilot coronavirus vaccine trial Interestingly, selling of alcohol has restarted, which is leading to an increase in traffic incidents and brawls, reported AP. Also read | Cricket South Africa announces seven coronavirus cases The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people to quit smoking during the pandemic and said that smoking is linked to higher infections and death from COVID-19 of patients who are hospitalised. The challenge for South Africa, however, is that a ban has caused a jump in the illegal sale of cigarettes. Some experts say that after a ban on tobacco sales, cigarettes have become the most sought after illicit drug in the country, generating money higher than cocaine and heroin. Cigarettes stashed in grocery bags are pushed across the counter at corner shops. Young men flash packs in streets and a signal to them is good enough for a purchase. The sellers are taking full advantage of this ban and a pack of 20 cigarettes can cost upto $11 that used to be $1.70 pre-lockdown. VIP service also exists in which one has to contact the illicit seller via phone. The service will deliver 200 cigarettes to your home for $350 and the cost of these cigarettes is normally nearly $20. People who support this ban argue that some smokers quit or cut down their habits during the lockdown. However, a survey of over 12,000 smokers by the University of Cape Town found out that more than 90 per cent of people purchased cigarettes illegally during the lockdown.

Illegal cigarette trade flourishes in South Africa amid ban on tobacco sale

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Millions of cigarettes to become ash in South Africa's war against smuggling

Illegal cigarette trade flourishes in South Africa amid ban on tobacco sale