A RAFT of South African tobacco companies, activists and associations are seeking legal action over the ban on cigarette sales during the country’s coronavirus lockdown.
South Africa is moving to a more eased level 3 lockdown in a five-level system from June 1, allowing most economic sectors, including mining and manufacturing, to fully resume operations.
The relaxed regulations will also allow the sale of alcohol for home consumption.
But the government has maintained the ban on sales of tobacco, citing health risks that make people vulnerable to the coronavirus.
British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) said on Friday it was commencing urgent legal proceedings to challenge the government’s decision to extend the ban on tobacco sales.
BATSA, which sells brands such as Dunhill, Camel and Lucky Strike, has said the ban could boost illicit trade in tobacco as smokers were more likely to buy from underground traders.
The ban was
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