What did this former Sars official know about Big Tobacco’s dodgy dealings?

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State capture was a godsend for tobacco dealers, writes former Sars official Johann van Loggerenberg in his latest book, which may shed new light on one of the industry’s most popular campaigns.

questioning the tactics of the #TakeBackTheTax campaign and the data on which it was based — produced by an industry-funded Ipsos study. Industry body the Tobacco Institute of Southern Africa maintained that the campaign was not linked in any way to the Tobacco Control Bill introduced earlier that year.Tobacco Wars: Inside the spy games and dirty tricks of southern Africa’s cigarette trade

Suddenly, there was space again for them to carry on with their dirty tricks. The pressure was off them… and instead, we at Sars were suddenly on the back foot. At the same time, even the new kids on the block, smaller, newer manufacturers belonging to Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association , heaved a sigh of relief to see our backs. The pressure was off them too.

Where, once, only the mighty voice of Tisa was given a public platform, the first sign of change was visible in May 2018 when not only Tisa but also Fita and a range of state agencies presented to Parliament’s standing committee on finance on the illicit trade in tobacco. Firstly, they were going to “expose the high penetration of illicit cigarettes and the criminals behind it”. Secondly they were going to secure regional and national front page headliners’. Thirdly, they were going to “influence media to call for government action”. And lastly, but not least, they were going to “expose Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation as the leading illicit trader without advertising their brands”.

 

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