NGO welcomes lifting of cigarette ban in Western Cape
The organisation Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA) has welcomed the decision by the Western Cape to lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes during the national lockdown.
The provincial government announced on Wednesday that cigarettes may now be sold in the province, but only to customers also buying essential goods.
It is the only province to have lifted the ban.
The National Disaster Act had outlawed the sale of cigarettes during the three-week lockdown period.
TJSA founder Yusuf Abramjee says the lifting of the ban is a vital step in the battle against the illicit trade.
He has called on other provinces to follow the Western Cape’s example.
“Banning tobacco sales encourages South Africa’s 11 million smokers to seek their cigarettes from illegal traders, fuelling the illicit economy and spreading the virus by increasing people’s movements.”
Abramjee believes smokers need access to cigarettes if the lockdown is to be a success.
"If the sole objective of the lockdown is to stop people moving around, that is defeated if people can’t buy cigarettes at stores they visit anyway for their essential goods.
“Smokers will not be visiting the shops more than other customers, as they must buy groceries along with their cigarette purchases.”
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