Botswana cracks down on illicit cigarette trade

There are loopholes in Botswana’s tobacco control laws which allow for illegal trade in tobacco products. In the 2013/2014 financial year, about 7 960 cartons of smoked tobacco products, 31 53 of smokeless tobacco products and 900 kilograms of tobacco leaves were confiscated in the market.

This has prompted the country’s assistant minister of health, Dr Alfred Madigele, to urge all stakeholders – including the Botswana Police Service and Botswana Unified Revenue Services – to address the loopholes and strengthen the fight against illegal cross-border importation of tobacco products.

He called on citizens to get involved in the fight, saying: "Part of our collective responsibility is to keep our eyes open. Be very vigilant and brave enough to report suspected illegal dealings or trafficking in tobacco products.”