Tobacco association taking the government to court
Following Minister Nkosazana-Dlamini-Zuma's announcement on Wednesday evening that the sale of cigarettes would not be allowed under level 4 restrictions of the lockdown, the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) is planning to take legal action against the government.
This 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.
“We debated the matter and looked at it and decided we must continue as we are when it comes to cigarettes and tobacco products and we decided not to open the sale,” she explained.
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She said the reasons are health-related and also how tobacco is shared amongst people which encourages the spread of the virus.
Any form of liquor is also not permitted to be distributed.
“The non-sale of alcohol has freed the hospitals; our emergency hospitals and units are normal now. Our ICUs are not filled with people who have been stabbed or shot or raped or so on.”
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She said this stance is assisting in fighting COVID-19.
“Besides that, alcohol attracts crowds. Very few people enjoy drinking alone. Besides that, it means that the police can do what they need to do and all the enforcement officers. The hospital can look after the sick and not the emergencies that comes from effects of alcohol,” she explained.
