By Humairaa Mayet
Implemented on 27 March 2020, South Africa’s lockdown – over and above restricting movement – banned many commodities, most notably alcohol and cigarettes. Now, almost a month into the lockdown, a tobacco association is planning on going to court to challenge the ban on cigarette sales.
Sinenhlanhla Mnguni from the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) spoke to Salaamedia this morning on The Alternative View.
Mnguni claimed that regulations, as they stand, have been misinterpreted, and therefore given rise to distorted comments from ministers, which they have proffered as an official legislature. He further claimed that he firmly believes that cigarettes should be classified as essential goods and that their ban was simply caused by miscommunication amongst cabinet members.
Over the last two financial years, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) collected approximately R13-14 billion from cigarette sales. Mnguni explained that the ban on cigarette sales has dealt a severe blow to the economy, causing a loss of between R1.2 billion and R1.5 billion in these four weeks.
Illicit markets are flourishing under the lockdown, as they continue to operate outside the government’s line of sight. According to Mnguni, these illegal operations will continue even after the ban is lifted, and this will prove detrimental to legal vendors and further disadvantage government-sanctioned traders.
While he acknowledges that Covid-19 is a viral disease that affects the lungs as respiratory tract, Mnguni stated that only 4% of smokers have contracted the virus, and there is no definitive link at present between the coronavirus and those who smoke.
A News24 article, however, has established that smokers are more susceptible to the virus.
Furthermore, the lockdown was implemented in order to limit movement, yet individuals in need of cigarettes are violating these laws in an attempt to purchase cigarettes illegally.
The tobacco association has drafted their propositions for the government, and pending the President’s address tonight, will choose a path to follow.
Listen to the full discussion below:
Featured image via FreePik.