Uncovering the Hidden Toxins in Illegal Cigarettes: Why You Should Avoid Them

Uncovering the Poisons in Illicit Cigarettes: Why You Should Stay Away

In South Africa, the illicit cigarette trade has become a growing crisis, with illegal cigarettes accounting for a large share of the market. These illicit products are not only unregulated but also contain dangerous hidden toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. The South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) has been at the forefront, advocating for stricter control and public awareness to combat this health threat. Understanding the dangers of illegal cigarettes is critical for protecting personal health and supporting public safety.

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What Are Illegal Cigarettes?

Illegal cigarettes are tobacco products that evade established regulations through smuggling, counterfeiting, or tax evasion. Unlike legally regulated cigarettes, these products do not undergo quality checks or safety standards, making their contents unpredictable and frequently hazardous. Ipsos research shows that over 70% of cigarette packs sold in Gauteng are below the minimum tax threshold, indicating rampant illegal sales.

Hidden Toxins Found in Illegal Cigarettes

Research and enforcement reports reveal that illegal cigarettes often contain elevated levels of toxic substances rarely found in legal brands. Heavy metals known for their carcinogenic and neurotoxic effects such as:

• Lead
• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Asbestos

These toxins are frequently present at dangerous concentrations. Pesticides used in unregulated farming, alongside formaldehyde and other volatile chemicals, often contaminate these products.

Further alarming contaminants include mold, bacteria, and even asbestos fibers which can cause serious respiratory diseases like mesothelioma, adding to the health risks beyond those posed by regulated tobacco. These toxins increase the likelihood of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and multiple forms of cancer significantly.

Health Risks Associated with Illegal Cigarettes

The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products is an international treaty with the objective of eliminating all forms of illicit trade in tobacco products through a package of measures to be taken by countries acting in cooperation with each other: it is a global solution to a global problem.

The Protocol was developed in response to the growing illicit trade in tobacco products, often across borders. Illicit trade poses a serious threat to public health because it increases access to – often cheaper – tobacco products, thus fueling the tobacco epidemic and undermining tobacco control policies. It also causes substantial losses in government revenues, and at the same time contributes to the funding of international criminal activities.

Illegal cigarettes cause amplified harm compared to legal ones due to their toxic contaminants and higher concentrations of nicotine and tar. These compounds contribute to chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, emphysema), cardiovascular illnesses, and increased cancer risks. The illicit market’s accessibility also disproportionately affects vulnerable groups in South Africa, such as youth and low-income individuals, exacerbating public health disparities.

Effects of The Illicit Trade

Cigarettes form part of the wider illicit tobacco trade (ITT) if the distribution, sale or manufacturing thereof is prohibited, alternatively, if the applicable taxes are not paid. In South Africa, the illicit cigarette trade (ICT), presently estimated to make up more than 30 percent of the total tobacco market, continues to grow and is estimated to cost the government over ZAR 7 billion in lost revenue every year.

The threat posed by the ICT is multi-faceted and cumulative. For example, due to the accessibility of cheap cigarettes, smoking prevalence increases, which in turn necessitates higher government spending on healthcare and increases smoking-related premature deaths. Moreover, the aforementioned sales can serve as a source of income for criminal syndicates, bolstering their foothold and/or interests in the South African region. It should be recognised that the impact of the ICT is not limited to the loss of tax revenue – the smoke from the illicit cigarettes permeates South African communities.

The Role of SATTA in Combating Illegal Cigarettes

The South African Tobacco Transformation Alliance (SATTA) plays a vital role in raising awareness about the dangers of illicit tobacco products. It works with government agencies, law enforcement, and civil society to enhance regulatory enforcement and educate consumers about the health and economic impacts of illegal cigarettes. SATTA advocates for comprehensive strategies including tighter border controls, improved tax administration, and public reporting systems to reduce illegal trade.

This surge in illicit trade, now estimated to account for around 70% of the market, directly undermines
South Africa’s public health initiatives. The availability of cheap, illicit cigarettes – some selling for as
little as R5 a pack – negates the impact of fiscal measures designed to reduce consumption.

Economic and Social Consequences

The illicit cigarette trade hurts South Africa by denying billions in tax revenue that could fund healthcare and social programs. It strengthens criminal networks and encourages further illegal activities, undermining law-abiding businesses and public welfare. Estimates suggest the illegal trade costs the country around R28 billion annually, deepening socio-economic challenges.

How to Protect Yourself and the Public

• Purchase cigarettes only from licensed and reputable retailers to ensure product safety.
• Look for tax stamps and mandated health warnings on packaging.
• Avoid bargain-priced cigarettes sold informally or on the street.
• Report suspected illegal cigarette sales to authorities or through community awareness platforms supported by SATTA and other agencies.

Buy Legally Regulated Products

Illegal cigarettes contain hidden lethal toxins and pose severe health and societal risks. By choosing legally regulated products and reporting illicit sales, South Africans can protect themselves and help curb this dangerous black market. Supporting SATTA’s campaigns and government efforts is essential to safeguarding public health and economic stability.