British American Tobacco South Africa BATSA will cease production at its sole local manufacturing plant in Heidelberg by the end of 2026, reports Cape town Etc .
This decision is attributed to the alarming rise of the illicit cigarette trade, which now dominates approximately 75 of the South African market.
Johnny Moloto, Head of Corporate Regulatory Affairs at BAT Sub-Saharan Africa, stated, With the illicit markets current size, continued local manufacturing has become unviable,
