Tobacco group welcomes lifting of cigarette ban
The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) has welcomed the lifting of the ban on the sale of cigarettes by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Smokers will be allowed to buy cigarettes during the next phase of the lockdown which starts on May 1.
The lobby group, which represents southern African cigarette manufacturers, previously threatened to take the government to court - arguing that the ban of cigarettes is unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid.
FITA chairperson Sinenhlanhla Mnguni says the lifting of the ban shows that government has finally come to its senses.
"Despite taking legal steps to have the ban on cigarette sales lifted, we and our legal team had always extended an invitation to the government to engage FITA.
“We will continue to engage with government to obtain clarity on what the implications of the next phase in government’s efforts at combatting the virus mean for our industry, along the entire value chain.”
He adds the lifting of the ban means the legal action against the government will no longer proceed.
ALSO READ
Restaurant industry weighing up options amid easing of lockdown
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the gradual ease of the lockdown to allow industries to come back into operation under strict conditions. Ramaphosa made it clear that several restrictions will remain in place regardless of the level of alert, as long as the risk of transmission is present - leaving the restaurant industry in limbo.