South African civil society groups are calling for stronger action against the illicit cigarette trade, arguing that current enforcement and penalties are too weak. Tax Justice South Africa says illicit sales undermine government revenue and “drain” substantial funds from the public fiscus, citing an estimated loss of about R100 billion per year. The group is urging the introduction of tougher legal measures, including mandatory jail sentences for offenders, asset forfeiture, and lifetime bans to prevent repeat offences. The calls follow criticism that penalties have not deterred illegal trading or trafficking networks effectively. Supporters of the proposals argue that more stringent enforcement tools would disrupt both street-level sellers and organised networks profiting from tax evasion and counterfeit or smuggled cigarettes. Overall, the outlets reporting on the issue highlight the same central points: illicit cigarette trade persists, revenue losses are significant, and new or stronger laws are needed to increase the likelihood of prosecution and reduce the incentives to traffic illegally.