Come Friday, cigarettes will still not be allowed to be sold at level four of lockdown.

The u-turn comes after government received over 2 000 submissions from the public opposing the sale of tobacco products, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazna Dlamini-Zuma said.

The minister was speaking at a briefing on Wednesday evening on the new regulations for industries which will restart their operations as the country gradually starts resuming economic activity.

Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the restrictions on economic activity would be lifted in a gradual risk-adjusted process, based on five coronavirus levels. The country is currently at level five which only allows essential services to operate. More businesses however will be able to operate from Friday, when we move to level four.


Initially government had proposed that the sale of cigarettes would be allowed at level four, but government had received submissions from the public opposing it on the grounds that it posed a health risk, Dlamini-Zuma said. "Besides the effects of tobacco on lungs and the way tobacco is shared, it does not allow for social distancing and encourages the spread of the virus."

The minister specifically raised an example made in one submission, where concerns were raised about spreading the virus in saliva, when one has to lick paper when rolling a "zol".
Previously British American Tobacco South Africa warned that the ban on tobacco products would unintentionally lead to the rise in illicit trade in tobacco.

The sale of alcohol and liquor will also not be allowed. This ban also applies to those who make their own liquor and distribute it or sell it. Only liquor -- mainly wine -- is allowed to be manufactured for exports, according to the new regulations.
Dlamini-Zuma said the alcohol ban was freeing up the emergency rooms of hospitals, allowing doctors to tend to those who are sick, and it has helped avoid emergencies brought on by the effects of alcohol. "Our ICUs are not filled with people who are stabbed, or shot," she said.

"The non-sale of alcohol is assisting the fight against Covid-19," Dlamini-Zuma added. People are now avoiding crowds or socialising with others.

I guess us smokers will still have to pay R100 for a 20 courtleigh... i really hate the anc... eish

Absolutely no sense but there is nothing we can do.

As an ex smoker I understand how difficult it is to stop. Smoked for 18 years and always said would only stop if I had a good reason to stop. Then I woke up in ICU after a heart by pass. That, to me was a good reason to stop, however it was still the most difficult process I ever had to go through. So 20 years after suffering through that, I can only say it was worth the initial suffering.

Any idea how this affects vaping?

So you cannot smoke, drink, have a haircut they just need to razor blades then we will all look and fell like zombies :-) hope the politicians also obey the rules

stop supply of razor blades

Would be interesting to hear if any of the people in the purple valley, made use of this opportunity during Lock-down to actually quit smoking. Must be the ideal time to do so.

If you could survive the "bordedom" at home without a smoke, it should be easy to not smoke when you back at work.

I've brought up Dlamini Zuma's influence in the alcohol and tobacco banning before. Last night proved the point, seemingly overriding the President's earlier announcement on tobacco. She is a nasty piece of work ! You can expect legal and constitutional challenges from business and other organizations sooner rather than later on some of these regulations.

I never thought the public would be fighting so hard so give their tax money to the government!