The Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association (FITA) has resolved to take the government to court, to compel it to lift the ban on the sale of cigarettes during the lockdown.
FITA chairperson, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, said the organisation has consulted with its legal team and have come to the decision to approach the courts for the appropriate relief on the ban on the sale of cigarettes.
“This decision was not taken lightly and we had hoped that a logical solution in the best interests of all concerned would be arrived at without the need for litigation,” Mnguni said.
“Our mere request is that government authorise, at a minimum, the distribution and sale of cigarettes at retail stores, spaza shops and filling stations where citizens are currently permitted to purchase what has been classified as essential goods.”
According to statistics, more than 10 million South Africans are smokers.
The tobacco and alcohol industry have been at pains trying to convince the government to allow them to trade during the COVID-19 lockdown.
President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday rejected the bid by the liquor industry to lift the total ban on the sale of alcohol – after government decided that that sale of alcohol was not an essential service.
