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Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says the decision to temporarily ban the sale of tobacco products during level 4 of the nationwide lockdown was to protect people’s lives and health, and to reduce the likelihood of added strain on the healthcare system.
This was Dlamini-Zuma’s response to part B of the legal action that was launched against the state by the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association earlier this month. The organisation’s application argues that the sale of tobacco should be permitted under level 4 of the lockdown.
In her submission to the Pretoria High Court, the minister explained that, while the Covid-19 coronavirus was a new virus, and studies about the effects of smoking on those who contracted the virus were still being researched, there was some evidence to draw a correlation between the use of tobacco products and a higher risk of contracting the virus.
