Talk of the Town

Ban On The Sale Of Cigarettes

Latest news & developments
Health minister Zweli Mkhize has warned South Africans to adhere to precautionary measures to avoid a resurgence in Covid-19 infections and a return to a strict lockdown. File photo.Image: Simphiwe Nkwali/Sowetan

Three things need to change before booze and tobacco sales can be allowed: Zweli Mkhize

Another day, another reason — or at least three — why the bans on alcohol and cigarette sales should remain in place. On Thursday, health minister Zweli Mkhize said the country was not ready to lift the restrictions on alcohol and…

Health minister Zweli Mkhize was insulted by health workers in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday. File picture.Image: Sandile Ndlovu

Bad news for smokers and drinkers: Mkhize says bans to stay in place

National health minister Zweli Mkhize was the bearer of bad news for smokers and drinkers on Thursday when he said the country was not ready to lift the bans on alcohol and cigarettes. Mkhize was touring various hospitals in…

Replacing the cigarette lockdown prohibition with excise increases would compound the devastating damage of the past four months, says BAT-SA. In view: Police bust of cigarettes being traded in contravention of the lockdown ban. (file image)Image: Saps

Piling more tax on legal cigarettes ‘a gift to criminal suppliers’

Significant new resources need to be allocated to revenue service Sars to ensure that the legal cigarette market can be taken back from criminals in the aftermath of the lockdown smoking ban, says cigarette maker BAT South Africa. “These…

The Western Cape high court on Friday ruled that the decision to ban cigarettes during SA’s coronavirus lockdown was unconstitutional.Image: 123RF/Gin Sanders

Government clarifies ‘incorrect’ tweet on sale of ciggie and booze ban during lockdown

Timeslive UNATHI NKANJENI The government has backtracked on an “incorrect” tweet regarding the ban on cigarettes and alcohol sales during the lockdown. On Wednesday, the government said the ban on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes would…

Tobacco companies and suppliers lost income during the early stages of the lockdown, which raises questions about the potential for future damages claims.Image: 123rf.com/ marcbruxelle

Government Tweet claims alcohol, cigarettes ‘banned for rest of lockdown’

From The South African It’s either the most casual announcement of a major policy shift, or something’s gone wrong. Alcohol and cigarettes may now be banned ‘throughout lockdown’. For those reading on in horror, it will seem like a…

Tobacco companies and suppliers lost income during the early stages of the lockdown, which raises questions about the potential for future damages claims.Image: 123rf.com/ marcbruxelle

Cigarette smuggler faces R600,000 fine or five years in jail

A 33-year-old man caught smuggling illicit cigarettes worth over R200,000 in May was found guilty on Tuesday. Desta Andualem was convicted by the Musina regional court. He was ordered to pay a fine of R600,000 or serve a five-year…

Eastern Cape police seized 60 boxes of liquid tobacco worth R360,000 at a warehouse in Port Elizabeth.Image: SUPPLIED

Eastern Cape police seize liquid tobacco consignment from Cape Town

Eastern Cape police confiscated liquid tobacco with a street value of about R360,000 after being alerted by a courier company about a suspicious package at their warehouse at Kabega Park in Port Elizabeth. Police said the company had…

Over 270,000 South Africans have signed a petition against the ban on the sale of cigarettes.Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

Over 270,000 South Africans sign petition against ban on cigarette sales

Over 270,000 South Africans have signed a petition against the ban on the sale of cigarettes, while the tobacco industry prepares to mount a legal challenge. In response to the government’s apparent U-turn on Wednesday night, the Fair…

The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association is planning legal action against the government over its extended ban on cigarette sales.Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock

Tobacco association heads to court to challenge ban on cigarette sales

The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (Fita) is planning to take legal action against the government over the ban on the sale of cigarettes. The decision comes after cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) minister…