Informal traders income severely impacted due to cigarette ban – Saita

The South African Informal Traders Alliance (Saita) says the impact of the ban on the sale of cigarettes has only worsened the livelihoods of informal traders, losing their much-needed income.

Saita called on the government to urgently lift the ban SABC reported.

President of the alliance, Rosheda Muller, said: “The ban is not stopping people from smoking, but instead of buying cigarettes from their usual informal traders they are now buying illicit products from criminals.

“When our president [Cyril Ramaphosa] asked us to go into lockdown eight weeks ago, we listened, despite knowing the devastating impact it would have on our lives and livelihoods.”

Saita represents informal traders, hawkers, spaza shop owners and home-based operators working across the country.

(Compiled by Sandisiwe Mbhele)

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