The Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Dean Macpherson believes that in ending the ban on alcohol and tobbaco sales, President Cyril Ramaphosa will be putting South Africans first.
In a statement, Macpherson said that since the ban on tobacco sales and an alcohol ban which was brought back without any warning or consultation, South Africa had lost up to R8 billion in taxes from these industries.
“There has also been a tsunami of job losses in both industries which run past 100 000 jobs lost and more than R10 billion worth of investments that have been pulled from South Africa.
Macpherson stated that the idea of these bans had started off well to build up healthcare capacity. “Leading scientists are telling us to drop the bans on alcohol and tobacco immediately despite the government saying they are being led by science.”
The ban is also said to have opened up an illegal market of alcohol and tobbacco sales. “DA strongly urges President Cyril Ramaphosa to end the continued ban on alcohol and tobacco sales which according to media reports will be discussed during a cabinet meeting this week.”
