Lift the ban on Tobacco Products

To The President of South Africa Mr Ramaphosa

The smokers of South Africa urges government to lift cigarette sale ban Mr Ramaposha do you understand that the ban will force more than 10million smokers to venture out looking for tobacco. We urge you to reconsider Mrs Dlamini Zumas ban on cigarette sales during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, and that after you lift the ban and this now after you let a mnister verruling nd, override your decision may have unintended consequences.

We as South Africans faces some of the toughest coronavirus measurements on the continent, including a“stay at home” lockdown that started more than amonth ago

During this ockdown, essential services retailers spaza shop, supermarkets petrol station forecourt stores are not allowed to sell cigarettes.

You lifted his on 25 April 2020 but then Mrs DaminiZuma and ANCWL overpower you and has justified the ban on rumours that 2000 oppose your ruling and they believe that smoking can make people more susceptible to serious complications from a coronavirus infection.

Sir the the ban on cigarette sales could jeopardise the fight to contain the virus as it will unintentionally force 10 million smokers to go outside of their neighbourhood in search of outlets willing to defy the ban, this would lead to greater movement of people and more interactions than if smokers were able to buy cigarettes at their an outlet at the same time as buying all their other essential goods and it could boost illicit trade in tobacco as smokers were more likely to buy from underground traders.

IS IT AN UNDERSTATEMENT THAT BATSA contributed R13 billion in total taxes of which R10 billion was tobacco  excise during 2019
Uplifting the ban would, amongst other things save jobs, bring more money into the state coffers, stimulate the economy, and decrease the psychological impact on South Africans of the lockdown period,
Mr Ramaphosa I stated to many that you are a man of your word but I was so wrong
THANK YOU
The smokers of South Africa

The President of South Africa Mr Ramaphosa    Contact the author of the petition