Combating Illicit Trade: A Corporate Lawyer"s Dilemma

Luché Joubert, Senior Legal Counsel, British American Tobacco, South Africa

The tobacco industry in South Africa is currently struggling with the threat of smuggled illicit products eroding the legal market. The illegal trade in cigarettes is the fastest growing tobacco category both globally and locally, with the incidence having almost doubled in South Africa over the past four years. This coincided with the economic downturn which, in most instances, caused consumers to downgrade to cheaper products. The legal industry estimates the incidence of illegal products in the South African market at between 23 and 28%. This is in stark contrast to a global incidence of 12%.

Luché Joubert is Senior Legal Counsel at British AmericanTobacco South Africa (Pty) limited base in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

British American Tobacco South Africa is part of the British American Tobacco international group of companies. It is a producer and distributor of cigarettes in the South African market and enjoys a market share of 86% in South Africa.