Tobacco ban: What is going on, asks smoker
We as smokers in South Africa need to be heard – smoker to government.
Despite a petition with over 500 000 signatures having been sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa personally for the tobacco ban to be lifted as a matter of urgency, government keeps on tightening its grip on legal tobacco product sales.
The President announced during his address to the nation on Sunday, 24 May that alcohol may be sold for home consumption only under strict conditions on specified days for limited hours as of 1 June under Level 3 lockdown, but the sale of tobacco products will remain prohibited.
This is due to the health risks associated with smoking,” the President said.
In response, a disgruntled resident, Vernon Swanepoel wrote the following letter to government:
To whom this may concern.
There are almost 200 countries in the entire world, and most have Covid-19 [patients]. South Africa is one of three countries, along with Botswana and India, to have banned cigarettes during the pandemic, according to the Free Market Foundation.
Yet our Covid-19 cases still increase daily. So did banning smoking do anything [to stop it], besides taking away our democratic rights and voice? But from 1 June you can buy alcohol. Never mind that people won’t share zol, they can share alcohol. And drink from the same bottle.
Oh, sorry, that never happens, people only share zol, #cigarettes, according to government. Forget about 60 days of illicit selling and buying of cigarettes. Almost 90 per cent or more of smokers in South Africa have not even stopped smoking. You can drink alcohol, as long as you don’t smoke. And we go down to Level 3 to open our economy. The whole world waits till cases have gone down, no not South Africa. We open almost everything, as long as you don’t smoke.
Forget about alcohol’s effects on the liver, and your immune system that could also be affected if you get Covid-19.
What is going on? 11 million smokers who could contribute to the economy; 11 million smokers willing to pay more for legal cigarettes in shops so they can help with the Solidarity Fund for Covid-19 relief; 11 million people’s democratic rights and voices just taken away; 11 million smokers, human beings, part of South Africa just get ignored blatantly.
No help for [those suffering from] anxiety, stress, depression, anger and frustration, but complete and utter disregard for people in South Africa who smoke. But if you were addicted to illegal drugs you get help, rehab, meds. Government helps some rehabilitation centres, but if you are a smoker in South Africa, no help, no support, no medical advice or assistance, no nicotine gum or patches. Nothing. Yet we just have to keep quiet and suffer in silence. Over 500 000 have signed petitions [for the ban to be lifted], against 2 000 people [who are against it].
Smokers are not considered human beings. If we were, someone would have done something. The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) is doing the best they can. But the government does not see or hear the 11 million citizens of South Africa who happen to smoke – and smoking has never been illegal in South Africa.
We as smokers in South Africa need to be heard.
