Following an announcement that from 1 May some of the nationwide lockdown restrictions would be relaxed, including the ban on cigarette sales during level 4 lockdown, cigarette smokers and manufacturers were relieved, before the decision was soon overturned before it could come into effect.
The British and American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) has since threatened the government with a lawsuit over the ban as a result. BATSA demands that Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma ammend regulations prohibiting the sale of tobacco products by Monday.
Dlamini-Zuma says they have taken into consideration comments and submissions by made by political parties, trade unions, business, industry associations and other interested parties, on the sale cigarettes during lockdown.
“Others were saying, but you the government tell us that cigarettes and the virus are dangerous for the lungs, so why are you allowing cigarette sales to go on? And as we have said, we are consulting those documents, and the consultation results are what made us overturn the allowing cigarette sales once more.”
The minister says it is not a suggestion that smoking of cigarettes is even more dangerous to people’s health during this pandemic.
“We all know that cigarettes do affect the lungs and that is why even in this country you can not smoke in public spaces (even) when there is no pandemic of this nature, in an interest of protecting people who do not smoke because there is even passive smoking.”
During the earlier stages of the nationwide lockdown, health minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize had mentioned that smokers are more likely to be infected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) as they are more vulnerable. He also said the number of infected people could have been twice what it is now, if it was not for the nationwide lockdown.
On Saturday, it was confirmed that Covid-19 cases in the country are now at 3 336, with 2 549 recoveries and 123 fatalities. Mkhize has encouraged citizens to use 3-layer cloth home-made masks, wash and sanitize hands regularly, and practice social distancing.
Meanwhile, BATSA demands confirmation from minister Dlamini-Zuma that the regulation will be reversed by 10am on Monday. The company says it will lodge an urgent court application to review and set aside the regulation on grounds that it is unlawful and irregular.
BATSA claims the regulation was established without authority and is unreasonable and included for ulterior purpose. The tobacco company also claims that the regulation was reintroduced without a procedural fair process followed.
* Cover image: thesouthafrican.com.
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