CAPE TOWN – The country’s lockdown ban on cigarettes has caused a small shift away from multi-national brands according to the third survey of almost 4,000 smokers this year by a research unit at the University of Cape Town.
Tobacco sales were banned for 20 weeks during the first phase of the lockdown.
Gold Leaf’s RG became the single most-sold brand during the lockdown.
While its market share has fallen since the ban was lifted, it is still bigger than BAT’s Dunhill, Rothmans, and Kent brands.
The research found that cigarette prices have increased significantly this year.
The survey found British American Tobacco announced price increases of between 4 percent and 10 percent within a week of lifting of the ban.
