A News24 report says illicit cigarettes now dominate sales, with more smokers buying untaxed packs and earlier anti-tobacco progress being reversed. It warns the legal market is being hollowed out as cheaper, illegal products spread nationwide.

National Treasury notes submissions putting illicit share at up to 74.5% in 2024, while Business Day reports SARS estimates excise losses of about R40bn from 2020 to 2025 linked to illicit tobacco.